# Max Verstappen Red Bull Pole 2026

> Red Bull's Max Verstappen claims 2026 F1 pole at Sepang.
- Title: Max Verstappen Red Bull Pole 2026 · Autoweek | Shortify
- Summary: Red Bull's Max Verstappen claims 2026 F1 pole at Sepang. Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first pole position of 2026 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
- Keywords: max verstappen, red bull, formula 1, bahrain grand prix, sepang circuit, ferrari, mercedes, kimim antonelli, lando norris, pierre gasly, cars, sports
- Source: Autoweek — https://autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a74003525/max-verstappen-gives-red-bull-f1-first-pole-of-2026
- Author: Phillip Horton
- Published: 2026-10-03T12:37:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: max verstappen, red bull, formula 1, bahrain grand prix, sepang circuit, ferrari, mercedes, kimim antonelli, lando norris, pierre gasly, cars, sports
## Max Verstappen Pole Position
Max Verstappen swept to pole position for Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, his and Red Bull’s first of the season.
## Red Bull RB22 Performance
Red Bull’s RB22 suited Sepang’s medium- to high-speed sweeps and highly abrasive track surface, which facilitated massive tire degradation, with Verstappen setting a time of 1:35.130s to finish 0.298s clear of Ferrari driver Hamilton.
## First Ford Engine Pole
It marked the first pole position in history for Red Bull Powertrains and the first for a Ford-affiliated engine since 1999.
## Verstappen's Quote
We have been trying many grands prix to get pole, sometimes closer than others, said Verstappen. To finally get it after where we started the season is incredible.

> We have been trying many grands prix to get pole, sometimes closer than others
## Isack Hadjar Penalty
Isack Hadjar qualified third but was penalized and will start in eighth due to an engine penalty.
## Mercedes Struggles
Mercedes struggled as Kimi Antonelli had a lap time deleted in Q2, impacting his run plan, while both he and George Russell struggled to extract performance from this year’s best all-round package.
## Key takeaway

Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first pole position of 2026 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.