Verstappen takes first 2026 pole at Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Max Verstappen secured his first pole position of the 2026 Formula One season on Saturday, beating Lewis Hamilton in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

The Red Bull driver completed his fastest lap of Sepang in 1 minute 35.130 seconds, leaving Hamilton’s Ferrari 0.298 seconds behind. Verstappen had also set the fastest time in both earlier stages of qualifying.

Isack Hadjar was third quickest in the second Red Bull, but a five-place grid penalty means that result will not translate into a third-place start.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth for Mercedes, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were sixth and seventh, with George Russell eighth. Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto completed the qualifying top 10.

The result broke the run of pole positions achieved by Mercedes-powered cars this season, according to Reuters. It also put Verstappen at the front at a circuit where he won the last Formula One race held in Malaysia, in 2017.

Hamilton said changes to the Ferrari’s setup had helped the team find a better balance after difficulties managing the heat and tyres during practice. Hadjar, meanwhile, said he remained confident he could recover positions despite his penalty.

This weekend’s event carries Bahrain’s name while taking place at Sepang under an arrangement announced by Formula One and the FIA in July. The agreement brought Malaysia back onto the calendar as the host venue for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Sunday’s 56-lap race is scheduled to begin at 15:00 in Malaysia, which is 09:00 SAST. Saturday’s qualifying order remains subject to the application of grid penalties.