# Verstappen Takes Pole for 2026 Bahrain GP

> Verstappen secures first pole of 2026 at Bahrain GP in Malaysia.
- Title: Verstappen Takes Pole for 2026 Bahrain GP · Autosport
- Summary: Verstappen secures first pole of 2026 at Bahrain GP in Malaysia. Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain…
- Keywords: max verstappen, lewis hamilton, bahrain gp, ferrari, red bull racing, mclaren, mercedes, aston martin, williams, alpine, audi, cadillac
- Source: Autosport — https://autosport.com/f1/news/f1-bahrain-gp-in-malaysia-qualifying-report/10861364
- Author: Ed Hardy
- Published: 2026-10-03T09:14:06+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: max verstappen, lewis hamilton, bahrain gp, ferrari, red bull racing, mclaren, mercedes, aston martin, williams, alpine, audi, cadillac
## Qualifying Report
Max Verstappen topped all three sessions to secure his first pole of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
## Verstappen Dominates
Verstappen achieved a 1m35.130s time at Sepang, his first pole since the 2025 Abu Dhabi finale.
## Hamilton Joins Front Row
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, secured second place with a 1m35.428s time, 0.298s behind Verstappen.
## Hadjar's Penalty
Isack Hadjar received a five-place grid penalty for an engine change, starting from eighth place.
## Antonelli's Struggle
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, took fourth with a 1m35.631s time after a Q2 lap deletion due to track limits.
## Leclerc and Norris
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, started fourth with a 1m35.666s time, 0.035s behind Antonelli.
## Grid Penalties
George Russell, Mercedes, started seventh due to Hadjar's penalty, while Pierre Gasly, Alpine, began ninth.
## Final Grid
Liam Lawson finished 11th after being pushed into Q2 elimination zone by Bortoleto, completing the top 10.
## Key takeaway

Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, beating Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds.