via gpfans.comMax Verstappen delivers brutal putdown to Red Bull team-mate at Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured his first pole position of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing nearly three tenths ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Isack Hadjar, Verstappen's team-mate at Red Bull, qualified third, prompting Verstappen to make a light-hearted remark about Hadjar's lack of pole positions in his career.
During the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen reflected on the difficulty of ranking pole positions due to varying track conditions. He acknowledged that while he doesn't remember all of his poles, he encouraged Hadjar, suggesting that more would come in the future.
gpfans.comSat 3 Oct · 16:55 UTC
via RacingNews365Kimi Antonelli rues costly error after added F1 qualifying stressKimi Antonelli expressed disappointment over a track limits violation during Q2 of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, which resulted in him needing an additional set of soft tyres to reach Q3. Despite this setback, he managed to qualify fourth, significantly ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who qualified eighth.
Looking ahead to the race, Antonelli acknowledged the challenges posed by the harsh climate and track conditions, which could lead to high tyre degradation. He is currently leading the drivers' championship and plans to manage his race strategy carefully, aiming for the best possible result while being cautious not to take unnecessary risks.
RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 16:50 UTC
via f1technical.netSRATEGY GUIDE: Did Leclerc and Verstappen put themselves under pressure with their tyre allocation?Max Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds. The Red Bull driver set his fastest lap of 1:35.130 during his final run, while Hamilton qualified second with a time of 1:35.428. Isack Hadjar, who initially placed third, will start further down the grid due to a five-place penalty, allowing Kimi Antonelli to take his spot on the front row.
The race strategy is expected to revolve around tyre allocation, with Pirelli highlighting the importance of the Hard compound. Both Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have only one set of Hard tyres available, which may force them to adapt their strategies. Pirelli anticipates that a two-stop strategy will be the baseline for the race, with the potential for rain adding further complexity to the teams' plans.
f1technical.netSat 3 Oct · 16:08 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton's Malaysia fury over 'unacceptable' engine failureLewis Hamilton expressed his anger over an engine failure during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, which he deemed 'unacceptable'. This incident occurred on October 2, marking the ten-year anniversary of a significant retirement in his career. The failure, attributed to a big-end bearing issue, happened on Lap 41, leaving Hamilton frustrated as he was in a strong position to challenge for the championship against his teammate Nico Rosberg.
After the race, Hamilton demanded answers from Mercedes, questioning why he was the only driver experiencing engine failures despite having multiple engines available. He suggested that someone did not want him to win, although he clarified that he was not accusing anyone at Mercedes. The team's technical chief, Paddy Lowe, refuted claims of sabotage, stating that if they could arrange such failures, they would not have any at all.gpfans.comSat 3 Oct · 15:57 UTC
via gpfans.comMartin Brundle calls Bahrain GP grid reset fair decisionMartin Brundle praised the FIA's decision to reset the grid for the Bahrain Grand Prix, describing it as 'smart and fair'. His comments followed the chaotic scenes that unfolded during the formation lap of the race.gpfans.com+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 14:55 UTC
via RacingNews365Has Red Bull made a strategic blunder that could cost Max Verstappen in Malaysia?Max Verstappen has only one set of hard tyres for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia — how costly could that decision prove to be for the Red Bull driver?RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 14:30 UTC
via F1iLando Norris highlights McLaren's struggles in MalaysiaLando Norris expressed frustration over McLaren's performance at the Sepang International Circuit, particularly on the long straights. Despite qualifying in the top six alongside Oscar Piastri, Norris noted that the team is leaving significant performance untapped.
F1i+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 14:21 UTC
via Motorsport WeekFernando Alonso praises Aston Martin's Sepang performanceFernando Alonso credited Aston Martin's strong performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia to a 'miracle' as the team achieved its best result of the season. He highlighted the team's ability to capitalise on the chaotic wet conditions, finishing in eighth place.
Motorsport Week+ 5 moreSat 3 Oct · 14:04 UTC
via RacingNews365Verstappen-Hamilton ‘flashback’ as Mercedes sufferMax Verstappen clinched his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Lewis Hamilton joined him on the front row, benefiting from significant improvements made to the Ferrari SF-26, which finally performed well in qualifying.
Meanwhile, Mercedes struggled with their new upgrade package, leading to disappointing results. Aston Martin made a notable impact by achieving a double Q2 appearance, showcasing their progress in the competitive field. The Bahrain GP is set to take place on October 4, 2026.RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 13:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRUMOURHamilton's Bahrain qualifying lap impresses punditsLewis Hamilton's second-place finish in Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying has been described as a 'massive mic drop' moment, particularly in light of ongoing Ferrari rumours. David Coulthard noted that Hamilton's performance was remarkable, placing him alongside Max Verstappen on the front row for the race.
f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 13:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli reacts to Bahrain GP P3 starting positionKimi Antonelli expressed surprise after learning he will start the Bahrain Grand Prix from third position. The Mercedes driver struggled during qualifying, finishing five-tenths behind polesitter Max Verstappen.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:58 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton lays out Ferrari F1 battle plan to win Bahrain Grand PrixLewis Hamilton has shared his strategy for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, where he will start from second on the grid, just behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen. He highlighted the importance of not getting drawn into a race that does not suit his Ferrari car, particularly due to its straight line speed disadvantage compared to Red Bull.
Hamilton noted that while Ferrari may have an edge in low-speed corners, the key to success will be managing tyre degradation. He expressed the need to balance pushing through corners to compensate for losses on straights while ensuring the tyres do not overheat. Despite acknowledging Verstappen's pace advantage, Hamilton remains determined to compete effectively during the race.gpfans.comSat 3 Oct · 12:54 UTC
via AutosportMcLaren addresses Lando Norris's straight-line speed issuesLando Norris has experienced a recurring straight-line speed deficit in his McLaren MCL40, which has been particularly evident in recent races. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the team is investigating the underlying issues affecting Norris's performance compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Autosport+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:49 UTC
via PlanetF1Verstappen responds to Russell's complaints about heatMax Verstappen has dismissed George Russell's concerns regarding the extreme heat at the Sepang circuit, suggesting Russell is 'making a fuss'. Russell had highlighted Mercedes' decision not to develop a better cooling vest due to budget cap restrictions.
PlanetF1+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:40 UTC
via BBC Sport'Incredible' Red Bull upgrade enlivens F1 in 'roasting hot' MalaysiaMax 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 SportSat 3 Oct · 12:25 UTC
via RaceFans“This and golf are probably the two most frustrating fricking sports” – Hamilton | Formula 1Lewis Hamilton expressed his feelings about Formula 1 and golf, calling them two of the most frustrating sports. Despite the challenges he has faced this season, he was elated to achieve his second front row start in 2026, with his previous one being at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, which he won.
Hamilton noted that while he was second in the championship just four rounds ago, his points deficit to leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli has now more than doubled to over 100 points. He reflected on the season as a trying one but highlighted that there have been many positives and good days throughout.
RaceFansSat 3 Oct · 12:19 UTC
via Motorsport.comHamilton calls Bahrain qualifying his best of 2026Lewis Hamilton described his front-row qualifying performance for the Bahrain Grand Prix as the 'best lap' of his 2026 Formula 1 season. He expressed surprise at achieving this position alongside Max Verstappen, noting that the Mercedes car felt great.Motorsport.com+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:10 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Hamilton and Verstappen set for Bahrain Grand Prix duelLewis Hamilton expressed excitement about the prospect of a competitive race against Max Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Both drivers will start from the front row, heightening anticipation for a thrilling showdown.
Sky Sports F1Sat 3 Oct · 12:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen takes pole position in Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, marking the first non-Mercedes-powered pole in recent history. Lewis Hamilton expressed excitement about the potential for an intense race, highlighting the importance for Ferrari to focus on their own performance.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:00 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 drivers criticise chaotic Bahrain Grand PrixFormula 1 drivers have described the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as 'horrible' and 'totally unacceptable' following a series of issues during the race. The event, which featured a delayed start and challenging wet conditions, has drawn widespread criticism from fans and participants alike.gpfans.com+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:57 UTC
via Motorsport.comVerstappen praises Red Bull's improvements after poleMax Verstappen has acknowledged significant improvements in the Red Bull car after securing pole position in Malaysia. This comes less than a month after he described the car as 'made of paper' due to concerns over its degradation during the Monza qualifying.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:56 UTC
via Formula1.comAntonelli rues error after feeling ‘front row was possible’Kimi Antonelli will start from third position in the Bahrain Grand Prix after a challenging qualifying session. The Mercedes driver felt he could have secured a front row spot but lost time due to a track limits violation that invalidated his initial lap in Q2. This forced him to use new soft tyres, limiting his options in the final qualifying segment.
Despite the setback, Antonelli expressed optimism about the race, noting the possibility of multiple pit stops due to tyre degradation and the potential for rain. He acknowledged that while he could not compete for pole position against Max Verstappen, he is looking forward to making the most of his starting position.
Formula1.comSat 3 Oct · 11:45 UTC
via PlanetF1Lewis Hamilton credits Ferrari set-up change for front rowLewis Hamilton achieved a front-row start at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia after a last-minute set-up adjustment to his Ferrari SF-26. He noted that this change helped unlock additional pace, despite a 0.4-second deficit compared to the fastest time.PlanetF1+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:44 UTC
via F1i‘I’m ready’: Verstappen sets sights on long-awaited 2026 winMax Verstappen has finally put himself in the perfect position to end his long wait for a 2026...F1iSat 3 Oct · 11:38 UTC