Max Verstappen took the pole position for the 2026 F1 Bahrain GP at the Sepang International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton qualified on the front row with an exceptional effort during the final Q3. Isack Hadjar qualified P3, but will drop after the five-place grid penalty is applied, promoting Kimi Antonelli to P3.
Much like the FP2 session, the temperatures at the Sepang International Circuit for qualifying were blistering hot. Drivers had to be mindful of their outlaps to keep the tires in the operating window before starting the flying lap.
Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen received a white and black flag in Q2 for not following the race director’s orders and driving slower than the minimum lap time. There were no big surprises with both cars of the four top teams making Q3.
Max Verstappen topped every qualifying session at the Bahrain GP qualifying, and comfortably secured the pole position with a three-tenth gap to Lewis Hamilton in P2. Kimi Antonelli’s first run in Q2 was disallowed by the Stewards as the Italian exceeded the track limits, and he had to use an extra set of soft tyres, further compromising his run in Q3.
Isack Hadjar continued his strong pace from Azerbaijan, qualifying P3, but will start the race in P8 after the penalty for the additional powertrain component is applied.
Charles Leclerc qualified P5 and will start in P4. The McLaren duo qualified P6 and P7 after showing pace in the first couple of practice sessions.
George Russell, after the brilliant performance in Azerbaijan, had a disappointing qualifying session, only managing to qualify in P8. Red Bull were seemingly the fastest car at the Bahrain GP qualifying, with Mercedes being the third best.
Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto made the Q3 and will start on the fifth row. However, Bortoleto’s teammate Nico Hulkenberg had a disappointing morning, getting eliminated in Q1. Both Aston Martins managed to escape Q1 elimination and qualified P12 and P14.
Franco Colapinto qualified P15, but will start at the back with Arvid Lindblad, as the two drivers will serve the grid drops.
Starting order for the 2026 F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia
P1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
P2 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
P3 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
P4 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
P5 Lando Norris (McLaren)
P6 Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
P7 George Russell (Mercedes)
P8 Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) (Grid penalty)
P9 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
P10 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
P11 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
P12 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
P13 Carlos Sainz (Williams)
P14 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
P15 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
P16 Oliver Bearman (Haas)
P17 Esteban Ocon (Haas)
P18 Alex Albon (Williams)
P19 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
P20 Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
P21 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) (Grid penalty)
P22 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) (Grid penalty)
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