Verstappen takes first pole of 2026 for Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Red Bull's Max Verstappen took pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, Formula 1 said in a post on X. [1] It is his first pole of the 2026 season, according to the series' qualifying report. [3]

Verstappen topped all three segments of qualifying at the Sepang International Circuit. His final lap of 1m 35.130s left him 0.298s clear of Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, who will start on the front row. [3]

Isack Hadjar of Red Bull was third on the timesheet but will receive a five-place grid penalty, Formula 1 reported. Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes was fourth and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fifth. [3]

The McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were sixth and seventh. Mercedes' George Russell was eighth, followed by Pierre Gasly of Alpine and Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi. [3]

Formula 1 said Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson missed Q3 and will be sent to the back of the grid after changing power units. Alpine's Franco Colapinto will also drop places for a collision in Baku and a new engine. [3]

Haas driver Esteban Ocon, who was knocked out in Q1, claimed the team sent him out too early and hampered his chances, according to Formula 1. [3]

"It's fantastic," Verstappen said. "We've been trying many Grands Prix to get pole, sometimes a bit closer than others, but to finally get it from where we started the season, it's pretty incredible." [3]

Formula 1 said no one had held a qualifying session in Malaysia since 2017. The race is set to begin at 1500 local time on Sunday. [3]