Verstappen takes first pole position of the season in Malaysia

Max Verstappen secured pole position for the first time this season. The four-time Formula 1 world champion raced confidently to first place on the grid in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Three days after his 29th birthday, Verstappen in the Red Bull relegated record world champion Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari to second place on the Sepang circuit.

Isack Hadjar came third in the second Red Bull, but the Frenchman was moved back five places on the starting grid due to an engine penalty. World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli came fourth in the Mercedes.

In the World Cup duel with his teammate George Russell, Antonelli gained an advantage. Russell only managed eighth place. In the ranking, the Azerbaijan winner is 66 points behind Antonelli. Nico Hülkenberg was eliminated in 17th place in the first period of qualifying.

Verstappen is hoping for “at least one win” this season. So far he has not been able to win a Grand Prix in 2026. He is the driver who finished the race as winner at Formula 1's last appearance in Malaysia in 2017. At the time it was Verstappen's second Grand Prix success. Now it could be the 72nd this Sunday (9 a.m. CET/Sky). Saturday's pole was his 49th.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally scheduled to take place in the Sakhir desert in April. Because of the Iran war, the race was canceled, as was the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia.