Verstappen takes first 2026 pole at Sepang

Max Verstappen took his first pole position of the 2026 season for Red Bull in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, setting a 1:35.130 lap to finish 0.298 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Isack Hadjar was third-fastest but is due to drop five places on the starting grid after an engine-component change exceeded the permitted quota. Hamilton’s second place gives Ferrari a front-row start alongside Verstappen. Hadjar’s penalty is expected to move him from third on the qualifying timesheets to eighth, with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli set to start third. The supplied reports do not include a final, post-penalty grid classification. The result was Verstappen’s first pole of the season and the first by a driver without a Mercedes power unit in 2026. He also secured the leading starting position after a strong weekend at Sepang. The qualifying account reported that he topped all three practice sessions, then maintained that pace through the decisive session. Verstappen credited Red Bull’s recent development and a better understanding of the car for its performance, saying upgrades had reduced some weaknesses and improved balance.