Max Verstappen Secures First Pole of the Year as Fernando Alonso Posts Best Qualifying of the Season in Sepang

Max Verstappen has secured his first pole position of the season in Sepang. The Dutch driver stopped the clock at 1:35.130, but the most promising thing for him is that he did so with clear superiority. So much so that his second-best time would also have earned him the pole. Verstappen is the favorite for Sunday.

Another standout in Malaysia is Fernando Alonso. The Spanish driver has achieved his best qualifying result of the season so far. Both Aston Martins have made it into Q2, and Alonso seized the opportunity to place twelfth on the grid, four positions ahead of what had been his best result up to now. Points are possible.

Russell cannot withstand the title battle with Antonelli

Max Verstappen has the best opportunity of the season to win a race. The four-time champion will start from pole in Sepang, and he didn’t even need a magical lap to achieve it. The Red Bull has settled well in Malaysia, as shown by Isack Hadjar finishing third, although he will start eighth due to a power-unit change penalty.

The front row of the grid will be explosive, with Lewis Hamilton starting from second on the grid alongside his arch-enemy. Tire degradation is high, and it was in a race of this kind, the one in Barcelona, where Hamilton finally managed to win with Ferrari. He will try again in Sepang.

Kimi Antonelli again emerges from a minor scrape fairly unscathed. The world championship leader crossed the green in Q2, which condemned him to only one attempt in Q3 due to tyre shortage. But Antonelli has qualified fourth, which will become third because of Hadjar’s penalty. Four positions ahead of a George Russell, seventh, once again lost.

McLaren does not shine in Malaysia. Lando Norris finished sixth, with Oscar Piastri seventh, practically with the same time. Both gain one position due to Hadjar’s penalty, but in any case they will have to wait for a more favorable circuit such as Singapore, next week, to shine again. Charles Leclerc will start fourth.

The surprise of the Grand Prix is Aston Martin. Lance Stroll has made it into Q2 for the first time this season, showing that the car has clicked well in Sepang. Alonso seized the moment to achieve his best qualifying of the season, a twelfth place that allows him to dream of points. Right behind him is Carlos Sainz, thirteenth.

The other drivers who reached Q3 were Pierre Gasly, ninth, and Gabriel Bortoleto, tenth. The Brazilian continues to outperform Nico Hülkenberg, who was eliminated in Q1. Although those who will start at the back are Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad, both with penalties still pending on their records to serve.

F1 Bahrain GP 2026 Qualifying Results

Imágenes | Audi, Fórmula 1