Verstappen Storms To Pole In Malaysia As Hamilton Secures Front-Row Spot

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Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the 2026 F1 season in a dramatic qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, held at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit after the original Bahrain race was relocated. The Red Bull driver topped all three qualifying segments and produced a stunning 1:35.130 in Q3, finishing 0.298 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who secured Ferrari’s place on the front row. Isack Hadjar qualified third for Red Bull but will drop five places because of an engine penalty, promoting Kimi Antonelli to third. Charles Leclerc qualified fifth, ahead of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, while George Russell managed only eighth. High temperatures and tyre degradation added another challenge at Sepang, setting up an intriguing race. Verstappen will now chase his first victory of the season from pole.

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Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing Qualifying highlights
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after setting the pole position during the qualifying session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing Qualifying highlights
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, center, stands with Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, left, and his teammate Isack Hadjar of France, right, after getting the pool position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing Qualifying highlights Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain waves to spectators after the qualifying session at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing Qualifying highlights Red Bull driver Max Verstappen
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after setting the pole position during the qualifying session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Bahrain F1 GP in Malaysia Auto Racing Qualifying highlights Max Verstappen
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Vincent Thian
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Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar of France
Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar of France steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain is flanked by Haas driver Oliver Bearman of Britain steers his car during the third practice session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi
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Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. | Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi

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