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Verstappen Takes His First Pole Position of the Year at F1’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds, while Isack Hadjar will drop five places after a grid penalty, officials said.
- On Saturday, October 3, 2026, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the 2026 season for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, outpacing Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds at the Sepang International Circuit.
- Organizers relocated the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Sepang International Circuit due to conflict in the Middle East, marking Formula 1's return to Malaysia for the first time since 2017.
- Verstappen credited Red Bull's aerodynamic upgrades for improved car balance, while Hamilton secured his first front-row start after a setup change helped him hit the "sweet spot" before qualifying.
- Red Bull's Isack Hadjar qualified third but will drop five places for an engine penalty, promoting championship leader Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid alongside Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
- Mercedes faces a critical challenge defending its championship lead with George Russell starting further back, as Antonelli leads Russell by 66 points in the 16th round of the 2026 season.
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Verstappen ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's team-mate, Isack Hadjar, while Quebec's Lance Stroll will start in 14th place.
·Montreal, Canada
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The Dutchman prevailed in the qualy of the race held in Sepang, Malaysia. He was followed by Lewis Hamilton and the sanctioned Isack Hadjar, who will finally run eighth. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli, the leader of Formula 1, will do so from third position.
·Las Condes, Chile
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Max Verstappen ends pole drought in Sepang heat as Lewis Hamilton claims front-row spot
Four-time champion Max Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton on a re-arranged Bahrain Grand Prix grid, while engine penalties and track-limit mistakes reshape the pursuit behind them.
·Cape Town, South Africa
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Akşam
AkşamRed Bull driver Max Verstappen will start from pole position at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
·Istanbul, Türkiye
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Total News Sources277
Leaning Left29Leaning Right31Center39Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 29%
C 40%
R 31%
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