NEWS
First Pole 2026: Verstappen in a league of his own in Sepang Quali
For the first time this season, Max Verstappen will start the race from pole position. George Russell disappoints.
Max Verstappen snatched pole position at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang.
The Red Bull driver secured his first pole position of the season with a clear best time in qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton finishing second behind the Dutchman (+0.298).
Isack Hadjar (+0.428), who still has a grid penalty, finished third in qualifying, Andrea Kimi Antonelli (+0.501) placed fourth ahead of Charles Leclerc (+0.536) with only one lap in Q3. He had to use two sets of tyres in Q2.
Russell only finishes P8
In contrast, qualifying was disappointing for George Russell: The Azerbaijan winner only finished eighth (+0.741).
The two Aston Martins provided a surprise in the midfield: Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll made it into Q2 and will start tomorrow from twelfth and 14th positions.
The two will also form the driver pairing for the British racing stable next year (all info >>>).
