Max Verstappen just snagged his first pole position of the year at Sepang, and Lewis Hamilton, starting right next to him in second, is already sweating it. The guy has absolutely dominated the weekend so far on Formula 1’s return to the Sepang track, making everyone wonder how anyone’s going to catch him in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Hamilton himself, despite being on the front row, was nearly 0.3 seconds slower in qualifying and admitted his mindset was to “just try my best to hold on to him tomorrow.” That’s high praise, and a pretty wild statement when you consider the history between these two.
This pole is a massive deal, especially for a guy who was just two points shy of a fifth world title last year after one of the greatest fightbacks we’ve ever seen. Red Bull started 2026 way off the pace, with the car averaging more than half a second slower than Mercedes per lap in the first half of the season. Seriously, there were legit questions about whether Verstappen would even stick around for 2027. He was getting courted by McLaren, but over the summer break, he signed a two-year extension, saying he believed in the Red Bull project and was ready to put in the work to turn things around. He rolled into Malaysia on a hot streak, with three straight podium finishes, and everyone was hyped to see if this new upgrade would prove its worth after they finished less than 0.2 seconds off victory in Baku last Sunday.
Well, consider it proved. In the brutal tropical heat of Malaysia, on a track with those demanding long corners and what’s probably the roughest surface all season, this new upgrade, especially the new floor, has absolutely delivered. Verstappen called it “an incredible result for us.” He’s totally pumped about the season’s progression, saying, “At some tracks we were kind of close, but now I think this weekend it was very positive for us.” It’s simple, according to Max: “We have been adding bits to the car and they have worked.” He explained that when the bits work, you gain lap time and get a better overall balance. That’s huge for sensitive tires, especially on a hot track where a stable balance is key. Team-mate Isack Hadjar, who missed three races after the summer break with a wrist injury he got boxing during training (talk about dedication!), felt a completely transformed car when he returned in Baku. He said it was “way better” than when he left it in Budapest. He qualified third, too, but he’ll be starting eighth after a grid penalty for exceeding his engine parts limit.
So, what’s Sunday looking like? A good car balance should put Verstappen in a prime spot for a race that’s gonna be all about tyre degradation, whether the rain holds off or not. Hamilton, obviously, is going to be a factor, even if he’s feeling a bit on the back foot. And then there’s Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, the world championship leader, who starts third on the grid after Hadjar’s penalty. He under-performed slightly in qualifying due to an unusual tire strategy and an early error, but you can always count on him to be a force. Antonelli’s main focus will be keeping his 66-point lead over team-mate George Russell, whose momentum from his Baku win seems to have stalled, starting four places behind. This race is going to be an absolute battle in that stifling heat, and it’s anyone’s guess who holds on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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