Max Verstappen earns pole position for Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit on October 3, 2026, marking Red Bull's first pole of its partnership with Ford. He outpaced Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari by nearly three-tenths of a second. Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his team's progress and confidence ahead of the race. Despite the heat and challenges posed by the track, he is optimistic about managing the race effectively. Isack Hadjar finished third in the qualifying session, but will start eighth due to a grid penalty. Kimi Antonelli will take his place on the front row.

• 12:03 PMYahoo Sports — Max Verstappen makes Red Bull progress claim with ominous Malaysia warning