Verstappen beats Hamilton to pole for Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Max Verstappen took pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, beating Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds in qualifying at Sepang. It is Verstappen’s first pole of the 2026 season.
The Red Bull driver clocked 1:35.130 in the final session. Hamilton’s Ferrari was second at 1:35.428, while Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was third at 1:35.558 but will start eighth after a five-place grid penalty for a power-unit component change.
Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes will start third on the grid, ahead of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari and the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. George Russell was eighth, with Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto rounding out the top ten.
It was Formula 1’s first qualifying session at Sepang in eight years. Verstappen was the fastest driver throughout, topping Q1 and Q2 before sealing pole.
The race takes place on Sunday at 8 am UK time, with Verstappen and Hamilton renewing their title rivalry at the front.
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