Sports
Verstappen takes first pole of the season at Bahrain GP in Malaysia
October 3, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Coverage
4 reports
AJAl Jazeera English
Red Bull’s Verstappen grabs pole position for Bahrain GP in Malaysia
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TGThe Guardian
Max Verstappen claims first pole position of season at Bahrain GP in Malaysia
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BNBBC News
Bahrain GP in Malaysia 2026: Verstappen on pole ahead of Hamilton
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ESESPN
Max Verstappen takes first pole this season, Lewis Hamilton behind - ESPN
(opens the publisher’s site)Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, beating Lewis Hamilton at Sepang.
- Verstappen qualified 0.298 seconds ahead of Hamilton, topping all three qualifying sessions for his 49th career pole.
- Red Bull's Isack Hadjar qualified third but received a five-place grid penalty for a new engine, promoting championship leader Kimi Antonelli to third.
- The race was moved to Sepang after the original Bahrain round was cancelled because of the war in the Middle East.
- Hamilton said the extreme heat made the cars and tyres a "massive challenge" for teams at the circuit.