Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Sepang on October 3, 2026, setting a time of 1:35.696. autosprint.it reported that the four-time world champion dominated the qualifying sessions on the Malaysian circuit, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Isack Hadjar. This marks Verstappen’s first pole of the 2026 season, arriving at the fourteenth race of the year.
Verstappen Sets the Pace in Sepang
Verstappen established control early in the weekend and became the first driver to drop below the 1:36 threshold during Q2 with a lap of 1.35.696. La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that this is the Red Bull driver’s first pole position of the 2026 season on a track where he last won in 2017 at age twenty. Lewis Hamilton secured second place in the session for Ferrari, finishing nearly three decimals behind the Red Bull driver. Corriere della Sera highlighted that Hamilton’s progression sets up a front-row grid alongside his former title rival.
Hadjar Penalty Promotes Antonelli
Isack Hadjar recorded the third-fastest time in qualifying, four tenths behind his Red Bull teammate. However, La Gazzetta dello Sport confirmed that the French driver carries a five-place grid penalty for an engine change, which drops him to eighth on the starting grid. This sanction elevates Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli to third place. Antonelli advanced through Q2 after a deleted lap time for track limits at turn six forced him to execute a second run on fresh soft tires, leaving him with only a single flying lap in Q3. Because he “wasted” a soft compound during his Q2 recovery, Antonelli was unable to attempt two laps in Q3 and chose to run his single attempt alone on track.
Leclerc Gains Position as Aston Martin Advances in Qualifying
Charles Leclerc qualified fifth and moves up to fourth on the grid following Hadjar’s penalty. Further down the order, Pierre Gasly secured ninth for his team, while Gabriel Bortoleto placed tenth for Audi despite power unit limitations. Both Aston Martin drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, advanced past Q1 for the first time this season before being eliminated in Q2 with the twelfth and fourteenth positions respectively. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will start fifth and sixth, respectively, after a disappointing session for McLaren. George Russell struggled with the Mercedes’ aerodynamic updates to finish eighth.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Sepang Qualifying
Why is the Bahrain Grand Prix being held in Malesia?
The event is hosted on the Sepang International Circuit as a schedule recovery for the 2026 season, bringing Formula 1 back to the Malaysian venue for the first time since 2017.
What penalties affected the starting grid?
Isack Hadjar received a five-place grid drop for a power unit change, moving him from third down to eighth on the grid. Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto also picked up grid penalties ahead of the weekend sessions.
How did the extreme weather impact the session?
The FIA declared an Heat Hazard ahead of the weekend due to high temperatures and humidity levels in Malaysia, posing physical challenges for drivers across all practice and qualifying sessions. The scorching heat and frequent rain showers are expected to increase tire wear during the race.
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