Max Verstappen ends F1 pole drought in Sepang showdown with Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen has taken pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, his first of the 2026 F1 campaign.

Red Bull has looked competitive throughout the race weekend in Sepang and frequently threatened the top of the timesheets.

But when it came to the all-important qualifying laps, it was Verstappen who set the fastest effort of the weekend, clocking a 1:35.130.

The four-time champion improved by one-tenth on his final attempt, however his first effort would have been enough to seal the deal.

Amid a series of improvements in the final trips around the circuit, Lewis Hamilton fired himself up to second place.

Red Bull's strong pace was backed up by an impressive run for Isack Hadjar, who set the third-fastest lap.

[Article continues below]

Despite his P3 result, Hadjar won't stay there on the starting grid as he takes a five-place grid penalty for a new engine component.

It will promote Kimi Antonelli up one spot as the Italian driver looks to extend his championship lead.

He will have a strong opportunity to do so as his team-mate and closest rival George Russell could only set the eighth-fastest lap of the session, placing him down the order.

Charles Leclerc could not match his stable-mate and ended qualifying in fifth place, ahead of the McLaren duo.

As has often been the case this year, Lando Norris outpaced Oscar Piastri.

Alpine and Audi managed to get one car each into the top 10, with Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto respectively.

Gasly's effort was four-tenths faster than Bortoleto, giving him the track position advantage on row five of the grid.

[Article continues below]

Liam Lawson could not quite scrape into the top 10 shootout and had to settle for 11th, which still puts him in a strong position for points on Sunday.

The New Zealander placed himself ahead of Fernando Alonso in a strong effort for Aston Martin, who has largely struggled this year.

The Silverstone-based squad enjoyed a double Q2 appearance for the first time this year as Lance Stroll also managed to get himself into the second segment.

The Canadian driver ended the session in 14th place, with Carlos Sainz lodged between the two Aston Martin drivers.

Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad were the two slowest drivers in Q2.

However, the duo entered the session knowing they would be relegated to the back of the field due to engine-related grid penalties.

While his team-mate was able to get into the Q2 session, Nico Hulkenberg was the fastest of those in the first drop zone of the afternoon.

The Audi driver qualified in 17th place, ahead of the Haas duo of Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon.

Alex Albon's challenging campaign continued as he was left to settle for 20th.

Valtteri Bottas managed to out-qualify his Cadillac team-mate Sergio Perez, but as has been the case throughout the weekend, it brought up the rear of the field.