Provisional starting grid GP Bahrain | Verstappen from P1, De Vries on P19

Qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix is over and that means the first starting grid of the year is known. Max Verstappen will start in pole position with Sergio Perez next to him. From the second row of the grid, Ferrari will try to increase the pressure, but the team must also look behind. Indeed, the Aston Martins and Mercedes are also aiming for a podium finish in Bahrain.

We are in the first Formula 1 weekend of the year and so we have yet to see engine changes that attract grid penalties. Like last year, most components may only be changed three times (and some components twice) over an entire season. Only when changing 'outside your engine pool' will the driver not escape a grid penalty. This will not be an issue for the first GPs of this year (if all goes well).

Furthermore, no drivers have been penalised for incidents this weekend either, meaning the starting grid is pretty straightforward. However, Pierre Gasly had hoped to start 17th on Sunday, but his time was taken away for exceeding track limits. The Frenchman will therefore start last in his Alpine.

Provisional starting grid GP of Bahrain 2023