Verstappen Takes His First Pole Position of the Year at F1’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds, while Isack Hadjar will drop five places after a grid penalty, officials said.
- On Saturday, October 3, 2026, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the 2026 season for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, outpacing Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds at the Sepang International Circuit.
- Organizers relocated the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Sepang International Circuit due to conflict in the Middle East, marking Formula 1's return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017.
- Verstappen credited Red Bull's aerodynamic upgrades for improved car balance, while Hamilton secured his first front-row start after a setup change helped him hit the "sweet spot" before qualifying.
- Red Bull's Isack Hadjar qualified third but will drop five places for an engine penalty, promoting championship leader Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid alongside Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
- Mercedes faces a critical challenge defending its championship lead with George Russell starting further back, as Antonelli leads Russell by 66 points in the 16th round of the 2026 season.
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KLFYVerstappen takes his first pole position of the year at F1’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
SEPANG, Malaysia (AP) — Max Verstappen qualified on pole position for the first time this year at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on a rare off day for Mercedes and Formula 1 standings leader Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen went fastest by 0.298 of a second from Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, with Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Isack...
Max Verstappen Claims 1st Pole Of 2026 At Bahrain Grand Prix In Malaysia, Lewis Hamilton Right Behind
Max Verstappen qualified on pole position for the first time this year at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on a rare off day for Mercedes and Formula 1 standings leader Kimi Antonelli.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has secured the pole position for the first time this season. The Mercedes team led by world championship leader Kimi Antonelli was perplexed and disappointed.
Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz will face the test from 12th and 13th place, respectively.
Hamilton came to Verstappen in second place. The previous World Cup dominator Mercedes only followed despite a car upgrade.
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