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via RacingNews365Verstappen 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 qualified in second place, setting the stage for a highly anticipated race between the two rivals.
via PlanetF1Verstappen 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.
via RaceFansVerstappen claims pole position at Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Lewis Hamilton qualified in second place, marking his fifth consecutive front-row start at the Sepang circuit.
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.
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.
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton reflects on treasured Roscoe and Coco memoryLewis Hamilton shared a heartfelt reflection on a memorable trip he took with his late dogs, Roscoe and Coco, during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that this particular day in the mountains is the one he would most like to relive, highlighting the joy he experienced during their time together.
The sentiment is amplified by the fact that both dogs have since passed away, with Coco dying in June 2020 and Roscoe in September 2025. Hamilton recently paid tribute to Roscoe on the anniversary of his death, expressing his ongoing love and gratitude for the companionship they provided during some of the happiest moments of his life.
via f1oversteer.comJohn Elkann has already broken 2026 promise to Ferrari fans but Fred Vasseur could pay the priceFerrari chairman John Elkann's promise of winning a title by 2026 has not materialised, as the team has failed to secure either the drivers' or constructors' championships. This failure marks a continued drought for Ferrari, which has not won a championship since 2008, and raises questions about the team's future direction and competitiveness under current regulations.
While Elkann's confidence in the team's potential has not been realised, speculation surrounds team principal Fred Vasseur's position. Despite support from drivers like Charles Leclerc, Vasseur may become the scapegoat for the team's shortcomings, with suggestions that Christian Horner could be a candidate to replace him. The pressure is mounting for Ferrari to achieve success in the upcoming season.
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.
via RacingNews365Red Bull branded 'biggest threat' to Mercedes as F1 recovery gathers paceAnthony Davidson has stated that Red Bull Racing is becoming the most significant competitor to Mercedes in Formula 1, particularly after their strong performance in the final practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar secured second and third places, respectively, while George Russell finished fourth, indicating that Red Bull is closing the gap on Mercedes' dominance.
Despite currently sitting fourth in the constructors' standings and yet to win a race this season, Red Bull is focused on achieving victories based on their own performance. Team principal Laurent Mekies highlighted the progress made with the RB22, and Verstappen expressed his desire to secure a win this year, emphasizing the team's competitive resurgence.
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.
via RacingNews365McLaren record surprising financial loss despite record £588 million turnoverMcLaren's financial report for 2025 revealed a surprising loss of £17.3 million GBP despite a record turnover of £588.483 million GBP. The team, led by Lando Norris, won both championship titles, marking its first championship double since 1998. However, increased costs and expenses significantly impacted the bottom line, resulting in a loss after tax.
The team's gross profit was £54.141 million GBP, but after accounting for expenses of £129.651 million GBP, McLaren faced a before-tax loss of £42.758 million GBP. CEO Zak Brown's compensation increased substantially, with a base salary of £8.215 million GBP and additional long-term incentive payments. Despite the loss, McLaren maintains strong financial reserves, with net assets of £45.948 million GBP.
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.
via f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli tops final practice at Bahrain Grand PrixKimi Antonelli of Mercedes achieved the fastest time in Free Practice 3 for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen by 0.278 seconds. This performance sets the stage for a competitive qualifying session between Mercedes and Red Bull.
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton's custom Monza outfit revealed after iconic Ferrari F40 photoshootLewis Hamilton's outfit from his arrival at the Italian Grand Prix has been revealed, showcasing a custom Khaite ensemble. He made a striking entrance in a restored Ferrari F40, wearing a black suit with a tan overcoat, complemented by a black beret and boots.
Hamilton expressed his excitement about acquiring the F40, a car he has dreamed of owning since childhood. He shared that he had previously sold his car collection and was thrilled to restore the F40, which had been sitting in a garage for over thirty years, with the help of Ferrari's engineers.
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri hopeful McLaren 'takes its turn' in jumbled Sepang pecking orderOscar Piastri expressed his hope that McLaren could take its turn at the top of the pecking order during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang. After a mixed performance in Free Practice 1 and 2, where McLaren showed improvement, Piastri noted the competitiveness among the top teams, including Red Bull and Ferrari.
Piastri highlighted that McLaren's performance in Free Practice 2 was better than in the first session, where they struggled. He acknowledged the close competition among the top four teams and expressed optimism about continuing their upward trend as they prepare for the race.
via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies admits he'd love the Max Verstappen 'problem' Martin Brundle can now see for Red BullLaurent Mekies of Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the competitive dynamic between Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, following their recent success. The duo achieved a double podium finish, marking a significant improvement for the team this season, and Mekies highlighted Hadjar's impressive performance in Baku as a turning point for the second seat at Red Bull.
Mekies acknowledged the potential challenges of managing two strong drivers competing for points but views it as a positive situation for the team. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and the possibility of making difficult decisions in the future, indicating that both drivers are committed to maximizing team results. With Hadjar eager to establish his position and Verstappen focusing on the upcoming season, Red Bull appears to be in a strong position moving forward.
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton seeking Ferrari 'compromise' after tricky F1 discoveryLewis Hamilton is looking for the right balance in his Ferrari after a challenging return to the Sepang circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix. He finished fifth in the second practice session, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was 0.305 seconds faster, and faced difficulties with the track's abrasive surface affecting grip and tyre management.
Hamilton noted that the day was overall challenging, with limited grip available on track. He mentioned that the team explored various set-up directions and is now focused on analysing data to find the best compromise ahead of qualifying. Despite the struggles, Hamilton believes they are not far off the pace and acknowledges that there is still work to be done.
via Motorsport.comF1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchMax Verstappen achieved pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, dominating the qualifying sessions. His final lap placed him ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who will start second. Isack Hadjar initially qualified third but will face a five-place grid penalty, promoting Andrea Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid.
The race is set for October 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM MYT, with weather conditions expected to be hot and humid, along with the possibility of thunderstorms. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK, while Apple TV will offer free streaming in the United States. The Sepang circuit's challenging surface and weather conditions will require teams to strategise effectively.
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri spots ‘unpredictable’ Malaysia curveball in McLaren progress updateOscar Piastri, the McLaren driver, is looking forward to the possibility of racing in wet conditions during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. He highlighted the unpredictability of the new power units in rain, noting that the deployment of power is capped, which could affect performance. Piastri finished sixth in the second practice session, just behind his teammate Lando Norris, who was third.
Piastri has been working on adapting to the latest generation of Formula 1 cars and feels he is gradually finding a better setup. He mentioned that while the process is challenging, he is becoming more comfortable with the car's demands. The anticipation for rain adds an extra layer of excitement, as F1 has yet to experience wet weather this season despite several forecasts.
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli tops FP3 at Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaKimi Antonelli topped the final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, recovering from a challenging Friday for Mercedes. His performance alleviated concerns regarding the team's upgraded W17 car, although team-mate George Russell was six tenths slower.Page 4 of 82