Leclerc takes pole for Bahrain GP ahead of champ Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands , left, speaks to Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain steers his car during qualifying session for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands gets ready during qualifying session for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 19, 2022. (Giuseppe Cacace, Pool via AP)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco, left, speaks to Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain steers his car during qualifying session for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left talks to.Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico after qualifying session for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 19, 2022. (Giuseppe Cacace, Pool via AP)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during qualifying session for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco celebrates pole position after qualifying session for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 19, 2022. (Giuseppe Cacace, Pool via AP)

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during qualifying session for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix it in Sakhir, Bahrain, Saturday, March 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)