Max Verstappen "Surprised" By Bahrain GP Pole Position

Max Verstappen has reflected on taking the first pole position of the 2023 season.

Max Verstappen has reacted to taking the first pole position of the 2023 season for the Bahrain Grand Prix tomorrow. 

After an exciting couple of days of Free Practice sessions where Red Bull's Sergio Perez put in the fastest time during FP1 and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso took the top spot in FP2 and FP3. 

Speaking after the qualifying session, Verstappen reflected on taking the first pole position of the year. The Belgian-Dutch driver explained:

"I think it's been a bit of a tough start to the weekend yesterday and today not really finding my rhythm but, luckily, in qualifying I think we managed to put the best pieces together and [I'm] very happy to be in pole position.

"Having such a strong car with Checo up there as well, it's amazing and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Red Bull have made some changes to the floor of the RB19, David Coulthard asked how the car felt to Verstappen. He responded:

"I think compared to last year, everyone knows a bit more what they're doing with the car. So naturally, I think you already start up better and more competitive.

"And then the other changes, I think, slow down the car but we are still going faster. So that's a great thing to see."

Coulthard went on to ask if Verstappen expected the field to be as tight as it was, Verstappen explained:

"I was actually positively surprised being on board after the struggles I had in practice. So that's positive and normally, our race car is better. So let's see."

Verstappen was followed by Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc who will start in second and third place on the grid tomorrow, respectively.