Max Verstappen earns pole position for Bahrain Grand Prix alongside Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen will start from pole position at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with Lewis Hamilton alongside him on the front row. Verstappen secured the top spot by 0.298 seconds during qualifying at the Sepang International Circuit. Fans are expressing excitement about the return of this longstanding rivalry, with many comments likening it to highlights of their earlier competitions. Hamilton has also frequently begun on the front row at this venue, and he and Verstappen last shared the front row at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen described his pole achievement as 'fantastic' and aims for victory in the race.

• 9:41 AMYahoo Sports — Max Verstappen-Lewis Hamilton Sepang front row has fans braced for "absolute cinema"