MONTMELO, Spain: Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen will start Sunday’s race from pole position at Formula One’s Spanish Grand Prix.
The two-time defending champion and points leader has secured pole for four of seven races so far this season.
Carlos Sainz got his Ferrari into the front row, with Lando Norris third for McLaren.
Home favorite Fernando Alonso could do no better than ninth after his Aston Martin took some damage to the bottom of his car after running through the gravel.
Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Pérez, who has won two races this season, also struggled and will start from 11th.
Charles Leclerc took pole last year, but this time he will start the race from 19th after his Ferrari was perplexingly slow.