Red BullWilliams 
via f1technical.netWilliams reflect on their "well-executed qualifying" after Friday strugglesCarlos Sainz delivered a commendable qualifying performance for Williams, securing 13th place at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite the team's ongoing struggles with pace. Sainz's ability to progress through both qualifying sessions showcased his skill, as he managed to extract more performance from the FW48 than expected. Team Principal James Vowles acknowledged the positive aspects of Sainz's performance while also highlighting the limitations of the car.
In contrast, Alex Albon faced a challenging qualifying session, finishing in 20th place but moving up to 18th due to penalties for other drivers. Albon's difficulties were attributed to a different setup direction that did not yield the desired results. Both drivers are preparing for a race that could be influenced by high tyre degradation and potential rain, with the team hoping to capitalise on any opportunities that arise.
f1technical.netSat 3 Oct · 16:04 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 the-race.comThe key weakness Red Bull has eradicated in MalaysiaMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Malaysia, marking Red Bull's first pole as an engine manufacturer. He demonstrated strong performance throughout qualifying, finishing ahead of rivals with a significant advantage in straight-line speed and improved cornering capabilities.
The upgrades Red Bull implemented, particularly those from the Baku race, appear to have addressed previous weaknesses in their car's performance. Rivals, including McLaren's Andrea Stella, noted a shift in competitive dynamics, with Red Bull showing enhanced speed and balance, particularly in high and medium-speed corners. However, some caution remains regarding the consistency of this performance in future races.
the-race.comSat 3 Oct · 13:20 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 thejudge13.comRUMOURChristian Horner addresses Ferrari job speculationChristian Horner has clarified that he was not attempting to express interest in the Ferrari team principal position, despite recent comments that sparked media speculation. The Red Bull Racing team principal described Ferrari as a 'dream' but emphasised he was not throwing his hat in the ring for the role.
thejudge13.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:16 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 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 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.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 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 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 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 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
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.f1oversteer.com+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 05:33 UTC
via f1technical.netWhy was the Sepang practice day a disappointment for Williams?Williams faced a challenging practice day at Sepang as they assessed their upgrade package from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz reported difficulties with the car's high-speed performance, with Albon finishing 17th in the first session and last in the second, while Sainz improved but remained in the lower midfield. Albon expressed concerns about rear stability, while Sainz noted that high-speed corners were contributing to tyre degradation.
The team’s Chief Engineer, Paul Williams, acknowledged that Sepang presented a tougher test for their upgrades compared to Baku, highlighting the need to gather data on the car's limitations. With high tyre degradation expected due to the rough track surface and high temperatures, managing tyre performance will be crucial for the race. The team is focused on isolating the car's weaknesses to inform future developments.f1technical.netFri 2 Oct · 22:00 UTC
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.f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 19:00 UTC