Bahrain /Internet/Hyderabad, Oct 4 (Maxim News): Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia from pole position, his first of the 2026 season. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton joins him on the front row at the Sepang International Circuit, which brings Formula 1 back to Kuala Lumpur.
Verstappen set a time of 1:35.130 in qualifying, 0.298 seconds quicker than Hamilton’s 1:35.428. Red Bull took a one-three in qualifying. However, Isack Hadjar, who qualified third with 1:35.558, drops to eighth on the grid because of a power unit penalty.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc make up the second row. Antonelli clocked 1:35.631 and Leclerc 1:35.666.
Bahrain Grand Prix grid: McLaren, Mercedes and penalties
The third row is all McLaren. Reigning champion Lando Norris (1:35.757) lines up ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri (1:35.762).
Hadjar and Mercedes’ George Russell, the winner of the last race, fill the fourth row. Russell qualified with 1:35.871. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly (1:37.210) and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto (1:37.673) complete the top 10.
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad start at the back of the field. Colapinto had a five-place penalty for his Turn 1 collision in the previous race in Baku. He also takes a 10-place drop for fitting new power unit elements.
Lindblad also took new power unit components. His penalties add up to a 30-place demotion. (Maxim News)
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