Red Bull's Max Verstappen set himself up as favorite for the first race of the Formula One season after seizing a perfect pole position in Bahrain on Saturday.

The Dutch 23-year-old put in a stunning final flying lap as he denied champions Mercedes the top slot in the season-opener for the first time in the V6 turbo hybrid era that started in 2014.

"Well done Max, that's a perfect start," said a jubilant team boss Christian Horner over the car radio as the mechanics celebrated.

Verstappen's pole time of one minute 28.997 seconds was 0.388 quicker than Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who had been only 0.023 behind after his first effort in the final phase.

"I absolutely gave it everything I had but unfortunately it wasn't good enough," said Hamilton. "I got absolutely everything I could from the car."

Hamilton's Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas, winner of the last two season-opening races held in Australia and Austria, will start third.

The pole was the fourth of Verstappen's career and second in a row after the 2020 season-ender in Abu Dhabi, which he went on to win.

It continued an impeccable start to the year, with the Red Bull driver quickest in pre-season testing and all three practice sessions in Bahrain.

"So far the car has been working really well and it's just been really enjoyable to drive," said Verstappen. "It all worked out perfectly in qualifying."

Sunday's floodlit race at Sakhir circuit, hosting the opener instead of Australia which has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be the first time Verstappen has lined up on pole with Hamilton alongside.

"The fight is on," commented Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.