Verstappen claims first pole of 2026 for Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Max Verstappen secured his and Red Bull’s first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang. Lewis Hamilton qualified second for Ferrari, while Isack Hadjar was third fastest but is set to drop down the order because of a five-place grid penalty.
Verstappen produced a dominant qualifying display at the Sepang International Circuit to take pole for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Red Bull driver was fastest in all three qualifying segments and set a best lap of 1:35.130, earning the 49th pole position of his Formula 1 career.
He finished 0.298 seconds clear of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who secured a front-row start alongside him. Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar was third fastest in the session.
Hadjar is due to take a five-place grid penalty for an Internal Combustion Engine change, which means he will drop to eighth for the race. The pole was Verstappen’s first of the 2026 season and Red Bull’s first pole of the year.
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