# Hamilton Calls Sepang Lap Best of 2026 Season

> Hamilton claims Sepang qualifying lap is his best 2026 F1 performance.
- Title: Hamilton Calls Sepang Lap Best of 2026 Season · Motorsport
- Summary: Hamilton claims Sepang qualifying lap is his best 2026 F1 performance. Hamilton secured front row start at Sepang with fastest lap of 1m35.428s, ending…
- Keywords: lewis hamilton, ferrari, max verstappen, red bull racing, sepan, 2026 f1 season, qualifying, front row start, podium drought, sports, cars, Hamilton
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/lewis-hamilton-labels-sepang-qualifying-as-best-lap-of-his-2026-f1-season-/10861539
- Author: Ed Hardy
- Published: 2026-10-03T12:10:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lewis hamilton, ferrari, max verstappen, red bull racing, sepan, f1, 2026 f1 season, qualifying, front row start, podium drought, sports, cars
## Hamilton's Sepang Qualifying
Hamilton set a 1m35.428s lap at Sepang for front row start alongside Max Verstappen.

> We've really been working so hard to progress, to dial in this car
## Hamilton's 2026 Season Performance
Hamilton described his Sepang lap as his best of the 2026 F1 season after six-race podium drought.

> It was probably my best lap of the year
## Hamilton's Championship Position
Hamilton is third in the 2026 F1 championship with front row start at Sepang.

> We've really been working so hard to progress, to dial in this car
## Hamilton's Qualifying Challenge
Hamilton hadn't taken front row since Hungary in July after fourth place in Malaysia Q3.

> It's such fine margins and it's like balancing a knife on its head
## Hamilton's Car Performance
Ferrari excels in 15 corners but struggles with straightline speed at Sepang.

> We do carry this deficit of straightline speed
## Hamilton's Race Strategy
Hamilton must balance cornering speed with straightline speed to avoid tire degradation.

> We have to push more through corners to try and make up for the losses in the straights
## Hamilton's Race Goal
Hamilton aims to end six-race podium drought with Sunday's grand prix at Sepang.

> I think he's got the pace generally to pull away
## Key takeaway

Hamilton secured front row start at Sepang with fastest lap of 1m35.428s, ending six-race podium drought.