Verstappen claims first pole of 2026 ahead of Hamilton
Red Bull’s Verstappen beat Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which the BBC report places at Sepang, Malaysia.
Max Verstappen secured his and Red Bull’s first pole position of the 2026 season, topping all three qualifying sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix. He finished 0.298 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar was third fastest, but a five-place grid penalty is reported to promote championship leader Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid. Antonelli’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell qualified eighth.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fifth, ahead of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Fernando Alonso qualified 12th, Aston Martin’s best result of the year, according to the BBC report.
The BBC attributed Red Bull’s improved pace to an aerodynamic upgrade introduced at the previous race and continued car improvements. The report describes the event as the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and says it is being held at Sepang.
Hamilton’s front-row start alongside Verstappen recalls their 2021 title contest. Hamilton said heat and sliding tyres made it difficult to find a good balance.
