Verstappen takes pole in Malaysia – Mercedes puzzles after botched update

Completely sweaty and with a somewhat perplexed expression, World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli tried to figure out where the lost time could have fallen by the wayside. Not only did the 20-year-old have no chance against the resurgent Max Verstappen in the fight for pole position in Formula 1's comeback to Malaysia, despite the large update package for the Mercedes car. “At the moment we are a bit at a loss,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. The 54-year-old admitted that it was “extremely disappointing”.

Especially since Baku winner George Russell only made it to eighth place, with the Briton in second place, 66 points behind Antonelli. After all, both Mercedes drivers will benefit from the engine penalty for Isack Hadjar. Verstappen's Red Bull colleague came third in qualifying, but will be moved five positions back on the starting grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia this Sunday (9 a.m., Sky). Second in the knockout round was record world champion Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari.

Verstappen was in a class of his own, just like in his best times. "Fantastic. Now it's finally worked," he said after the 49th pole of his career: "I'm happy for today, tomorrow I'll try to win."

Mercedes' problems became apparent when they returned to the sauna in Sepang. It became clear just as quickly that Verstappen was the main force to be reckoned with. In 2017 he won the last Formula 1 race to date in Malaysia; it was only his second victory in the premier class of motorsport.

He has been waiting for number 72 since the final last year. Verstappen emphasized that he wanted to win at least one race this season. Four days after his 29th birthday on Wednesday, it could happen.

The Dutchman also raced to first place in the first period. After that it was over for Nico Hülkenberg. Only 17th place for the German Audi driver. After a driving error in the last corner, the Rhineland native, who scored his first Formula 1 point in Sepang in 2010, radioed to the pits: “Sorry, boys.” Teammate Gabriel Bortoleto progressed confidently. “Wanted a little too much,” said Hülkenberg on Sky, “then lost everything.”

Despite the departure chaos on the first few days, the fans came back in droves to the course around 60 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. At temperatures of over 30 degrees and extremely high humidity, they sometimes waited for hours in never-ending queues for shuttle buses.

Before the next return journey, they saw the battle on the track for the best starting positions for the race, which is known as the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Grand Prix in April had to be canceled because of the Iran war. Unlike the race in Saudi Arabia, which was also canceled, the Bahrain round was quickly moved to Malaysia.

This was particularly enjoyable for Verstappen, who was also the fastest in the second period. Antonelli's first time was canceled - he had left the track. After the botched qualification in Baku, the next stress test for the young Italian.

“If you want to become world champion, you have to be strong enough in your head to cope with such situations,” emphasized Wolff before the new mistake. Antonelli moved into the final knockout round in second place, but then only had one set of the soft and therefore fastest tires left.

But he had no chance against Verstappen anyway, especially not in a Mercedes, where the upgrade initially backfired. Strengthened again with a Red Bull that he can fully exploit, Verstappen burned the next best time into the almost 60 degree hot asphalt. Hamilton came closest, having taken the best starting position in 2017.

Meanwhile, it was also announced this Saturday that the racing calendar will not be changed again because of the Iran war and that the Formula 1 organizers are sticking to their plan for the season finale. Managing director Stefano Domenicali confirmed in an interview with Sky Italia that the Grand Prix in Qatar on November 29th and in Abu Dhabi on December 6th will take place as planned. This means that the Imola replacement solution for the last race of the season is off the table for now.

“This is the course that we have taken based on the information and assurances we have - and of course we absolutely have to have it, that goes without saying,” Domenicali said in the interview on the sidelines of the Grand Prix in Sepang. “We will pursue this strategy until the end of the year.”

The racing teams are adjusting accordingly. “At the moment all the traffic lights are green,” said Mercedes team boss Wolff. There are no travel warnings, the airlines are flying and the insurance is intact, he emphasized. Finally, Wolff also pointed out to Sky that the situation is very volatile. You have to keep an eye on them.

For Formula 1 it's also about a lot of money. Qatar and Abu Dhabi pay high premiums to be part of the racing calendar. And with Saudi Arabia, a Grand Prix in the region has already been canceled. Like the Bahrain Prize, this was canceled for the same reason.