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Max Verstappen secures pole position at Sepang, Hamilton qualifies second

Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 3, 2026, 12:00 PM

Last updated Oct 3, 2026

Max Verstappen secures pole position at Sepang, Hamilton qualifies second

Summary

Max Verstappen achieved the first non-Mercedes-powered pole position of the 2026 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton qualified in second place for Ferrari, marking his fifth consecutive front-row start at this venue. This moment comes despite their historically contentious rivalry, and the two drivers shared a notable interaction during the qualifying session. The race is expected to take place in the near future.

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Key Details

•Qualifying took place on October 3, 2026, at Sepang International Circuit.
•Verstappen's pole is the first for a non-Mercedes car this season.
•Hamilton qualifies second for Ferrari, his fifth straight front-row start at Sepang.
•Both drivers had a notable moment amid their rivalry during qualifying.

Latest Updates

12:00 PMMotorsport.com — Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton go viral after "wholesome" Sepang F1 moment

What they're saying

"
A "wholesome" moment between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton has gone viral after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Verstappen secured the first non-Mercedes-powered pole position of the 2026 season at the Sepang International Circuit. Hamilton qualified second for Ferrari, marking his fifth consecutive front-row start at the circuit. Despite their contentious history ...Keep reading
— Motorsport.com

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