Jenson ButtonMax Verstappen 
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 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 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
via CrashMax Verstappen to race against Valentino Rossi in GT3Max Verstappen will compete alongside Valentino Rossi for the first time in a GT3 race at Portimao. The four-time Formula 1 champion expressed his hope to avoid an on-track battle with the MotoGP legend during the event.
Crash+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:31 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi races will proceedFormula One CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that the final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as scheduled. This decision comes despite ongoing conflicts in the region and follows the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races.gpfans.com+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:57 UTC
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 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 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 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 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 UTCvia 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
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