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via RacingNews365How Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton turned the tables on exposed MercedesMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, showcasing Red Bull's strong performance at the Sepang International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton qualified second, demonstrating the competitiveness of Ferrari, while Mercedes faced challenges, with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell starting fourth and eighth respectively.
The qualifying session highlighted ongoing issues for Mercedes, who struggled to integrate a significant upgrade package. This marked the first time this season that no Mercedes car made it into the top three, raising concerns about the timing of their development changes and their impact on performance.
Sat 3 Oct · 17:25 UTC
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.
Sat 3 Oct · 16:55 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?Sat 3 Oct · 14:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comHamilton'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.
+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 13:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli’s priceless reaction after learning he will start Bahrain GP P3Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, initially believed he qualified fourth for the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, he was later informed that he would start in third place due to a grid penalty imposed on Isack Hadjar for using his seventh internal combustion engine this season. Antonelli's reaction shifted from disappointment to excitement as he processed the news of his promotion.
Despite struggling in qualifying, Antonelli is optimistic about his race strategy. He acknowledges that Red Bull appears to have the upper hand in pace, with Ferrari closely following. Antonelli plans to focus on managing his tyres effectively during the race and is prepared to fight for a podium finish, expressing that he would be satisfied with either a second or third place.
Sat 3 Oct · 12:58 UTC
via the-race.comLando Norris highlights McLaren's straight-line issuesLando Norris expressed frustration over McLaren's performance on the long straights at the Sepang circuit, stating that it is costing them valuable speed. The team is reportedly puzzled by the ongoing straight-line speed deficit Norris is experiencing compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri.
+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:50 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen mocks George Russell over cost cap issueMax Verstappen has made light of George Russell's complaints regarding Mercedes' decision not to provide him with a cooling vest due to cost cap restrictions. Verstappen suggested that Russell's concerns were exaggerated, joking that he might take him to the sauna instead.
+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:40 UTC28
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.
Sat 3 Oct · 12:25 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.+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:10 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.+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:56 UTC
via RaceFansVerstappen praises Red Bull's progress after pole positionMax Verstappen stated that his first pole position of the 2026 season reflects the significant progress Red Bull Racing has made with their car. He noted that the team has successfully addressed key weaknesses, which was evident during the qualifying session in Malaysia.
+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:46 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.+ 1 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...
Sat 3 Oct · 11:38 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli eyes aggressive undercut attack in F1 MalaysiaKimi Antonelli will begin the Bahrain Grand Prix from third place, benefiting from Isack Hadjar's five-place grid penalty. Despite a strong performance in practice, Antonelli faced challenges during qualifying, finishing half a second behind Max Verstappen. He expressed disappointment but remains optimistic about the race, focusing on strategy and the potential of an aggressive undercut due to the circuit's characteristics.
Antonelli highlighted the difficulties posed by the abrasive track surface and the heat, which impact tyre performance. He emphasized the importance of strategy in the race, suggesting that Mercedes may adopt a two or three-stop approach. With the grid mixed, he is determined to maximize opportunities and aims to fight for a strong finish.Sat 3 Oct · 11:03 UTC
via RacingNews365Lando Norris voices 'hurt' over major McLaren weakness in MalaysiaLando Norris expressed his disappointment after qualifying sixth in Malaysia, feeling that McLaren's performance was lacking, particularly in straight-line speed. He noted that he felt strong behind the wheel but was unable to translate that into a better qualifying position, finishing just ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Despite recent successes, including three pole positions in four races and victories in Hungary and the Netherlands, Norris anticipates that the team's struggles will continue into the race. He believes that McLaren is not extracting the full potential from the car, which complicates their chances for a competitive showing on race day.Sat 3 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via racer.comFive 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.
Sat 3 Oct · 13:17 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris frustrated by McLaren's straight-line speedLando Norris expressed frustration over his McLaren's lack of straight-line speed during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the ongoing issues with Norris' Mercedes power unit, which have hindered his performance compared to teammate Oscar Piastri.+ 5 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:44 UTC58
via F1iGeorge Russell puzzled by Sepang qualifying performanceGeorge Russell expressed confusion over his lack of competitiveness during qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix, where he finished in eighth place. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also voiced his bafflement, stating that the team's expected progress from recent upgrades did not materialise.+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:43 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.
Sat 3 Oct · 10:30 UTC
via CrashToto Wolff confused by Mercedes' qualifying strugglesToto Wolff expressed confusion over Mercedes' lack of pace during qualifying for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, despite the team bringing a significant upgrade package to the event. The team struggled to compete for top positions, raising concerns about their performance after a promising practice session.+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:50 UTCPage 1 of 65