Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to pole position to claim first Red Bull pole of 2026 Formula 1 season
Max Verstappen secured pole position for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia, outperforming Lewis Hamilton by nearly three-tenths of a second. The race marks a significant moment for Red Bull as they look to challenge Ferrari's early-season dominance.
Why it matters
The rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton remains a primary driver of viewership and interest in the Formula 1 global sports market.
Max Verstappen claimed Red Bull's first pole position of the season as he beat Lewis Hamilton in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. <p>Verstappen and Hamilton will share the front row in Sunday's race at 8am (build-up from 6.30am), <em>live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event,</em> for the first time since Hungary 2023 after the Red Bull driver delivered a dominant qualifying performance.</p><p>The Dutchman topped each segment of qualifying and set two laps good enough for pole, ending up 0.298s faster than Hamilton who will target a second Ferrari win of the season.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/13590788/bahrain-gp-in-malaysia-2026-dates-schedule-weather-uk-start-time-and-how-to-watch-or-stream-f1-race-at-sepang-live-on-sky-sports"><strong>Bahrain GP in Malaysia: UK schedule and how to watch on Sky Sports</strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/schedule-results">F1 2026 Calendar</a> | <a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/standings">F1 2026 Standings</a> | <a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/live-blog/12433/12466779/f1-news-rumours-and-gossip-formula-1-latest-updates-on-teams-driver-transfer-market-and-contracts">F1 Gossip Column</a></strong></li><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/ContentPromo" target="_blank"><strong>Download the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more</strong></a><strong>📱</strong></li><li><strong>Not got Sky?
Also covering this story
12 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Max Verstappen tops FP1
‘It’s happening in Malaysia’: Bahrain GP switch surprised race chief
Bahrain circuit chief recalls surprise call that moved race to Sepang
Double top 10 practice finishes for Lawson in unpredictable Malaysia
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Leclerc tops FP2 with Mercedes seventh and eighth
F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Verstappen pips Russell to top FP1
Bahrain GP in Malaysia 2026: Max Verstappen tops first practice
Verstappen takes first 2026 pole ahead of Hamilton
Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia LIVE: Practice Three & Qualifying
Bahrain GP in Malaysia: F1 fans complain of gridlocked traffic, over three-hour waits for shuttles
Verstappen ends pole wait at Bahrain GP in Malaysia but Russell risks losing more ground
Three drivers facing grid penalties for F1's Malaysia return
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