Bahrain Grand Prix: Leclerc takes pole as Verstappen penalized

Charles Leclerc claimed pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix after Max Verstappen was penalized for exceeding track limits on his final lap in qualifying.

The Ferrari driver clocked a new lap record around the Bahrain International Circuit with a 1:30.558, which was good enough to beat Verstappen by 0.123 seconds.

Verstappen had initially set the fastest time of the session, but his lap was deleted after he was found to have exceeded track limits at Turn 4.

The Dutchman was then handed a three-place grid penalty, which will see him start the race from fifth.

Leclerc's teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. will start alongside him on the front row, with Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez completing the top three.

Lewis Hamilton will start fourth for Mercedes, ahead of Verstappen.

The race will start at 6pm local time on Sunday.