Bahrain International Circuit✕ Las Vegas Street Circuit✕ ✕
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Fernando Alonso highlighted Aston Martin's best qualifying performance of the 2026 season, achieving a strong 12th place at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Alonso urged caution despite this milestone, as both he and Lance Stroll advanced to Q2 during the session.
f1technical.net + 2 more Sat 3 Oct · 16:03 UTC via f1technical.net What does Alpine aim for in Sepang after Baku disaster? Alpine's Pierre Gasly secured ninth place on the grid for the Malaysian Grand Prix, successfully reaching Q3 while managing tyre strategy. The team opted to use two used sets of Soft tyres during qualifying, preserving a fresh set for the race, which they believe will provide strategic flexibility. Gasly expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and aims to convert the qualifying result into points during the race.
Franco Colapinto, who faced grid penalties, focused on race preparation rather than a conventional qualifying strategy, finishing 15th. Alpine's Managing Director, Steve Nielsen, confirmed that the team’s approach aligned with their expectations, allowing them to maximize their performance without taking unnecessary risks. With different strategies for both drivers, Alpine is optimistic about their chances to score points in the challenging conditions expected during the race. f1technical.net Sat 3 Oct · 16:01 UTC via BBC Sport 'Incredible' Red Bull upgrade enlivens F1 in 'roasting hot' Malaysia Max Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the weekend. Lewis Hamilton, starting from second, expressed concerns about Verstappen's pace, recalling their intense rivalry from previous seasons. Red Bull's recent upgrades have significantly improved their car's performance, allowing Verstappen to take the lead in qualifying.
Isack Hadjar, who missed the first three races after an injury, noted a marked improvement in the car's handling since his return. Meanwhile, Mercedes faced challenges with their new aerodynamic upgrade, struggling to find the right balance on the demanding Sepang track. Kimi Antonelli, starting from third, highlighted the importance of strategy and track position for the upcoming race, particularly in the hot conditions expected. BBC Sport Sat 3 Oct · 12:25 UTC Last race · Round 15
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
via f1technical.netWilliams reflect on their "well-executed qualifying" after Friday strugglesCarlos Sainz delivered a commendable qualifying performance for Williams, securing 13th place at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite the team's ongoing struggles with pace. Sainz's ability to progress through both qualifying sessions showcased his skill, as he managed to extract more performance from the FW48 than expected. Team Principal James Vowles acknowledged the positive aspects of Sainz's performance while also highlighting the limitations of the car.
In contrast, Alex Albon faced a challenging qualifying session, finishing in 20th place but moving up to 18th due to penalties for other drivers. Albon's difficulties were attributed to a different setup direction that did not yield the desired results. Both drivers are preparing for a race that could be influenced by high tyre degradation and potential rain, with the team hoping to capitalise on any opportunities that arise.
Sat 3 Oct · 16:04 UTC
via f1technical.netFernando Alonso praises Aston Martin's qualifying progress
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