F1: Verstappen takes his first 2026 pole at Sepang, Hamilton second
The newsroomUpdated on October 3, 2026schedule3 minMax Verstappen starts the Bahrain Grand Prix, held at Sepang, from pole ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Qualifying results, penalties and what is at stake.
Key point
Verstappen takes his first pole of 2026 with a 1:35.130, 0.298 s ahead of Hamilton; Ferrari holds the front row.
On Saturday 3 October 2026, Max Verstappen took the first pole position of his season in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The Red Bull driver set a best lap of 1:35.130, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who gives Ferrari a place on the front row.
Qualifying at a glance
The top eight are separated by less than a second:
- 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 1:35.130
- 2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 1:35.428, 0.298 s behind
- 3. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull): 1:35.558
- 4. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 1:35.631
- 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 1:35.666
- 6. Lando Norris (McLaren): 1:35.757
- 7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 1:35.762
- 8. George Russell (Mercedes): 1:35.871
Verstappen won by almost three tenths of a second, a clear margin in such a tight field.
A grid still to be validated
Several drivers are penalised. Isack Hadjar, third on the timesheet, takes a 5-place penalty for using a power unit element outside his allocation and will therefore start eighth. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) receives 15 places: 5 for a collision in Baku and 10 for power unit elements. Arvid Lindblad is also penalised for power unit changes. The grid is described as provisional, pending final validation by the FIA.
Why Red Bull has progressed
According to Motorsport.com, Red Bull brought a substantial upgrade package to Baku, presented as its last major development of the season. Verstappen says the car is easier to drive than at the start of the year. He also believes the Malaysian heat suits his car better than those of his rivals, while cautioning against drawing too broad a conclusion: Mercedes, he points out, tends to struggle more at very hot circuits.
What awaits the drivers in the race
The teams agree on one thing: the race will be decided by tyre management. Conditions at Sepang cause heavy degradation, and several pit stops look likely. On strategy, Ferrari used medium tyres in Q1, which gives it a different set of tyres for the race compared with its rivals.
Pole guarantees nothing: on such a demanding track, victory will depend as much on pace as on looking after the tyres.
La rédaction
Frequently asked questions
Who is on pole for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang?add
Max Verstappen (Red Bull), with a 1:35.130, 0.298 s ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari).
Which penalties affect the grid?add
Isack Hadjar takes a 5-place penalty for a power unit element outside his allocation, and Franco Colapinto a 15-place penalty. The grid remains subject to final FIA validation.
What will be the key factor in the race?add
Tyre degradation: teams describe it as the central issue for the race at Sepang.
Sources
- FIA — Verstappen takes first 2026 pole at Sepang
- Formula 1 — What the teams said, qualifying in Malaysia
- Motorsport.com — from paper car to pole
- Motorsport.com — Bahrain GP starting grid
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
