via PlanetF1Max Verstappen claims Red Bull's breakthrough at SepangMax Verstappen secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, marking his first pole since the end of the 2025 season. He attributed this achievement to Red Bull's recent development efforts, stating that the team has successfully addressed previous weaknesses.
PlanetF1+ 5 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:51 UTC
via racer.comMercedes upgrades fail to improve W17 performanceMercedes' recent upgrades to the W17 Formula One car did not yield the expected performance boost during qualifying at the Sepang circuit. Team principal Toto Wolff expressed confusion over the car's struggles, as both drivers failed to secure a top-three position.
racer.com+ 6 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris reflects on McLaren's struggles in MalaysiaLando Norris acknowledged that McLaren lacked the pace to compete effectively at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The British driver finished ninth after a late-race incident and an unsuccessful tyre strategy.
RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via racer.com1 videoFive years on from the Abu Dhabi debacle, Verstappen and Hamilton are sharing the front row againMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. His impressive lap time placed him nearly three-tenths of a second ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who qualified in second place for Ferrari.
Isack Hadjar qualified third, while Kimi Antonelli, the current title leader, secured fourth in his Mercedes. Charles Leclerc completed the top five, finishing half a second slower than Verstappen's leading time.racer.comSat 3 Oct · 13:17 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris highlights McLaren's straight-line speed issuesLando Norris has expressed frustration over McLaren's ongoing straight-line speed deficit, which he estimates costs him nearly two-tenths of a second per lap. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that McLaren and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains are investigating the issue affecting Norris's performance.
Motorsport.com+ 5 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:44 UTC
via CrashLando Norris dismisses Bahrain GP qualifying excuses with blunt "just slow" admissionLando Norris provided a candid assessment of McLaren's qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, stating that the team was simply "just slow" after qualifying sixth. He acknowledged that they were six tenths off the pole position and highlighted that the unique tarmac at the Sepang International Circuit contributed to their struggles, particularly affecting the Mercedes-powered teams.
Despite the disappointing qualifying results, Norris expressed satisfaction with his own lap time but recognised the need for the team to improve their overall performance. He mentioned ongoing issues with straight-line speed and indicated that while the deficit to competitors like Red Bull and Ferrari is significant, there remains potential for recovery during the race through strategic pit stops.
CrashSat 3 Oct · 10:30 UTC
via Motorsport WeekGeorge Russell criticises Mercedes' poor qualifying in SepangGeorge Russell has described Mercedes' qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix as 'very bad', following a disappointing session after a promising practice. The team, which had shown competitive pace earlier, struggled to match the performance of Red Bull, who secured pole position.
Motorsport Week+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:27 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoGeorge Russell perplexed by poor qualifying in SepangGeorge Russell expressed confusion over his disappointing qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where he finished eighth. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also voiced his bafflement at the team's unexpected lack of pace despite recent upgrades.RacingNews365+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:22 UTC
via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff saw something for the ‘first time’ as Max Verstappen destroyed Kimi Antonelli at SepangDuring qualifying for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, Max Verstappen of Red Bull achieved pole position, marking his first of the season. He outpaced Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton, with Antonelli finishing third and Hamilton second. Wolff expressed surprise at the significant performance gap, attributing it to Mercedes' struggles with drag and understeer despite introducing a new aerodynamic upgrade package.
Wolff highlighted that the team's expectations for the upgrades did not align with the actual performance observed during qualifying. Antonelli had previously topped practice sessions, leading to high hopes for the race weekend. However, the qualifying results revealed a disappointing outcome for Mercedes, prompting Wolff to call for a thorough analysis to understand the discrepancies and improve their performance moving forward.
f1oversteer.comSat 3 Oct · 10:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Toto Wolff expresses confusion over Mercedes' paceToto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has voiced his confusion regarding the team's performance following a significant upgrade package for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite expectations of improved pace, both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell struggled during qualifying, leaving Wolff to suggest that 'something else is going on'.RacingNews365+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen reflects on Bahrain GP start issuesMax Verstappen described the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix as "very hectic" due to a temporary loss of power that affected his getaway. The four-time Formula 1 champion secured his first win of the season with Red Bull, marking a significant achievement for the team.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:26 UTC
via RaceFansMax Verstappen secures first pole of 2026 in MalaysiaMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The result marks a significant milestone for Red Bull, as it is their first pole with their in-house power unit developed in collaboration with Ford.
RaceFans+ 7 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:10 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoVerstappen takes pole ahead of Hamilton in MalaysiaMax Verstappen secured pole position for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, marking Red Bull's first pole of the season. Lewis Hamilton will start alongside him on the front row, reigniting their historic rivalry.RacingNews365+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:09 UTC
via PlanetF144 videosVerstappen claims pole position for Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. The Red Bull driver outpaced Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who will start in second place.PlanetF1+ 10 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:05 UTC
via RaceFans22 videosqualifying results for 2026 Bahrain Grand PrixQualifying for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix took place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The session focused on the battle for pole position ahead of the race.RaceFans+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:03 UTC
via Motorsport.comCharles Leclerc reveals touching fan gesture that always makes him emotionalFerrari driver Charles Leclerc shared that hand-drawn pictures from young fans are the gifts that touch him the most. In a social media video, he expressed how these interactions during race weekends stand out, particularly when children present their artwork to him. Leclerc keeps these drawings at home, as they remind him of his own childhood dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver.
In addition to his reflections on fan interactions, Leclerc is preparing for a new chapter in his life as he and his wife, Alexandra, are expecting their first child. He expressed pride in becoming a father and acknowledged the challenges ahead, while also looking forward to the positivity it will bring. Currently, he sits fifth in the drivers' standings, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 123 points.Motorsport.comSat 3 Oct · 08:58 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on Malaysia front rowMax Verstappen of Red Bull Racing and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes will start on the front row for the Formula 1 race in Malaysia, marking the first event in the country in nine years. Aston Martin also made headlines during qualifying, achieving a significant result this season.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 08:31 UTC
via PlanetF1Bahrain Grand Prix starting grid confirmed for 2026The official starting order for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix has been released, detailing the grid positions for the race at the Sepang International Circuit. Teams and drivers are now set for the competition as they prepare for the event on Sunday, October 4.PlanetF1+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 07:43 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen secures pole position in Bahrain qualifyingMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. His impressive lap time placed him ahead of his competitors, setting the stage for the race.
gpfans.com+ 7 moreSat 3 Oct · 06:58 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoMax Verstappen dominates Bahrain GP qualifyingMax Verstappen of Red Bull Racing showcased his speed by securing pole position during the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. His performance highlighted his continued dominance in the 2026 Formula 1 season.RacingNews365+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 06:55 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Tyre survival could decide wide-open Sepang raceThe upcoming Formula 1 race at Sepang is shaping up to be highly competitive, with Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Kimi Antonelli each showing strong performances in practice sessions. Red Bull's Laurent Mekies has indicated that as many as eight cars could be in contention for the win, with tyre degradation expected to play a critical role in the race outcome.
Drivers have expressed concerns about the high wear on the track surface and extreme temperatures, which could complicate tyre management. George Russell from Mercedes noted that severe overheating might hinder the benefits of their recent aerodynamic upgrades. As teams prepare for the race, effective tyre management will be essential, especially in the challenging conditions expected at Sepang.newsonf1.comSat 3 Oct · 06:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull seen as biggest threat to Mercedes in F1Anthony Davidson, a former Formula 1 driver, has stated that Red Bull is becoming the 'biggest threat' to Mercedes' dominance in the sport. This assessment comes as Red Bull's performance continues to improve, suggesting a shift in the competitive landscape of Formula 1.RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 06:32 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar ‘never’ sees anything in Max Verstappen’s data he can’t do but one difference is clearIsack Hadjar, the Red Bull driver, claims he has never encountered anything in Max Verstappen's data that he cannot replicate. However, he acknowledges that Verstappen consistently pushes the limits of the car, which sets him apart from other drivers. Hadjar has impressed in his second season, having recently signed a contract extension with Red Bull for 2027.
Despite facing challenges as Verstappen's teammate, Hadjar has shown strong performance, scoring 86 points so far this season. He has reached Q3 in all his appearances, although he trails Verstappen in several qualifying and race results. Hadjar's confidence in his abilities suggests he is adapting well to the pressures of competing alongside a four-time champion.f1oversteer.comSat 3 Oct · 06:30 UTC
via racer.comKimi Antonelli leads Mercedes in Bahrain final practiceKimi Antonelli set the fastest time in final practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix, placing Mercedes at the top of the order. The championship leader outpaced Max Verstappen of Red Bull, showcasing a strong performance ahead of the race.racer.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 05:42 UTC