For the first time in 2026, Max Verstappen is on pole. The four-time world champion was consistently on the pace throughout and strung together a mighty first lap that put him over three-tenths of a second clear of the field. A final run extended that advantage by another tenth, moving Verstappen beyond the reach of the opposition. Not only is this his first pole since Abu Dhabi 2025, it’s Ford’s first since 1999; it also marks the first time a driver has secured pole this season without the aid of a Mercedes power unit. Having made steady improvements over the last eight races, it appears as though the Verstappen Red Bull combination is finally ready to challenge for wins.
It won’t be plain sailing, however, as Verstappen will be joined on the front row by his old sparring partner Lewis Hamilton. After a fairly anonymous performance in free practice, last-minute tweaks gave Ferrari a noticeable burst of pace. Hamilton capitalised, particularly in the middle sector, and secured his best qualifying result since Barcelona. Perhaps unsurprising given the fact that Hamilton has taken pole at Sepang on five previous occasions. Even so, the seven-time world champion was noticeably upbeat on the radio and congratulated his team on the progress made.
Behind them, Isack Hadjar reinforced Red Bull’s pace in third. However, he will receive a five-place grid penalty that will drop him to eighth, having exceeded his power-unit quota. Mercedes’ eagerly anticipated seven-part upgrade did not pay dividends. Despite significant tweaks to the floor and rear suspension, the Silver Arrows never looked like pole contenders. Kimi Antonelli walked a fine line in both Q2 and Q3, with one flying lap in each session and could only manage fourth. After dropping 15 points in the previous round in Baku, this wasn’t the response Antonelli was looking for. The only consolation is that his title rival and teammate George Russell will start three places behind him.
Charles Leclerc couldn’t match his teammate and qualified fifth ahead of Lando Norris, who snatched sixth from his teammate Oscar Piastri right at the end of the session. Pierre Gasly qualified ninth ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, who secured his sixth Q3 appearance of the season. Liam Lawson got a useful tow from his teammate in Q2 and will start 11th ahead of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz. Lance Stroll qualified 14th to give Aston Martin its first double Q2 appearance of 2026, while Franco Colapinto managed 15th. However, he has also incurred a five-place grid penalty for the multi-car crash he triggered in Baku, which will drop him to 21st. Arvid Lindblad failed to set a time in Q2, while a costly lockup in Q1 for Nico Hulkenberg prevented him from progressing.
Haas’s decision to run fresh softs in Q1 did not pay off as Ollie Bearman qualified 18th, one place ahead of his departing teammate Esteban Ocon. Alex Albon endured another underwhelming session and qualified 20th ahead of the two Cadillacs of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
Virtually unstoppable for most of the season, the Silver Arrows now look more vulnerable than ever. With two all-time greats on the front row and the championship battle still in motion, turn one will be the subject of significant scrutiny once the lights go out tomorrow.
