From RaceFans · · 1m 30s
Verstappen Secures 2026 Pole in Sepang
Max Verstappen claims first 2026 pole position ahead of Hamilton and Antonelli at Sepang.
In brief
Max Verstappen claims first 2026 pole position ahead of Hamilton and Antonelli at Sepang. Max Verstappen takes pole for 2026 Malaysia Grand Prix after dominating qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton and Andrea Kimi Antonelli following. Originally reported by RaceFans.
Verstappen dominates Sepang qualifying
Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the 2026 season at Sepang International Circuit.
Hamilton joins Verstappen on front row
Lewis Hamilton will start the 2026 Malaysia Grand Prix in the same order they finished the last race at Sepang.
Antonelli's track limits breach
Andrea Kimi Antonelli compromised his session with a track limits breach at turn six on his first lap in Q2.
Antonelli's tyre strategy
Antonelli had to take a second fresh set of Pirelli soft tyres to ensure he reached Q3 after his first lap.
Verstappen's pole time
Verstappen cut another tenth of a second off his best time to set a benchmark of 1 minute 35.130 seconds.
Hadjar's grid penalty
Isack Hadjar qualified third but his grid penalty drops him to eighth on the grid.
Mercedes drivers benefit from Antonelli
Antonelli moving up to third, Russell seventh, both Mercedes drivers benefit from Antonelli's session.
Lindblad's team tow
Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls used Lindblad to give his team mate a tow down the back straight after crashing in Baku.
Bortoleto takes 10th
Liam Lawson took 10th place but was eliminated by Gabriel Bortoleto in the final lap.
The essence
Max Verstappen takes pole for 2026 Malaysia Grand Prix after dominating qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton and Andrea Kimi Antonelli following.
