Max Verstappen takes his first pole position of the 2026 season in Malaysia

This Saturday morning (3), Dutchman Max Verstappen, from Red Bull Racing, did what he had not yet achieved in 2026. In the 16th stage of the season, finally, came the first pole position for the four-time Formula 1 world champion driver.

At the Bahrain GP, which this year is being held in Malaysia due to war tensions in the Middle East, Verstappen ended a fast that began in December 2025, when he set the best time in qualifying at the Abu Dhabi GP, which ended the category's calendar last year.

Verstappen clocked 1min35s130, 0s298 ahead of Lewis Hamilton, from Ferrari, and 0s501 ahead of the current season leader, the Italian Kimi Antonelli, from Mercedes.

Verstappen's RBR teammate, Frenchman Isack Hadjar, had originally recorded the third fastest time, but was punished with the loss of five positions for making engine changes. This was the 49th pole position in Verstappen's career, who currently occupies sixth place in the Drivers' World Championship.

Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, from Audi, had the tenth best time in the classification and will start within the points zone in the race scheduled for the early hours of this Sunday, starting at 4 am Brasília time.