Veterans Set The Pace In First Malaysian F1 Qualifying In Nine Years: 'Love The Energy Here

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —

Max Verstappen secured pole position for the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, marking the first Formula 1 weekend at the venue since 2017.

The event serves as a substitute for the original Bahrain Grand Prix, which could not be held at its planned location earlier in the season due to the prevailing security situation in the Middle East. Organizers implemented a rapid solution by moving the competition to Malaysia. This shift highlights the logistical flexibility required in the current Formula 1 calendar, allowing the championship to proceed despite geopolitical disruptions in the Gulf region.

Verstappen dominated the qualifying sessions, having been the fastest in all practice runs leading up to the final shootout. He described the achievement as "fantastic," noting that the team had attempted to secure pole in several previous races. "It feels incredibly right to finally succeed," Verstappen said, adding that the team hopes to follow up their first qualifying victory of the season with a race win.

Lewis Hamilton finished second in qualifying, joining Verstappen as one of only two drivers in the final session who had previously raced at Sepang. Hamilton praised the atmosphere, stating, "I love the energy here." He acknowledged the extreme heat as a significant challenge, noting that tires and cars behave differently under such conditions. "It feels like we have found good settings that handle the overheating," Hamilton said.

Isack Hadjar, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, initially qualified in third place. However, he will start the race from eighth position because the team replaced more engine components than permitted before the weekend. This penalty allowed the Mercedes drivers to move up the grid. Kimi Antonelli, who leads the World Championship, finished fourth in qualifying and will start from fifth. George Russell, who qualified eighth, will start from seventh.

Valtteri Bottas, who also has experience at Sepang, failed to capitalize on his familiarity with the track. He was eliminated in the first qualifying session (Q1), recording the second-slowest time of the entire session. Despite this, he managed to beat his teammate Sergio Perez. The race will test the teams' ability to manage thermal degradation, a key factor highlighted by Hamilton, as the field navigates the high temperatures at Sepang.