Accra:Max Verstappen has claimed pole position for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026, held at Sepang International Circuit.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Verstappen's performance in the Q3 qualifying session saw him achieve a best lap time of 1 minute 35.130 seconds, securing the leading grid position for Sunday's 56-lap race. He outpaced Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds, with Hamilton starting alongside him on the front row.
Isack Hadjar, also driving for Red Bull Racing, qualified third, trailing 0.428 seconds behind Verstappen. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli followed closely in fourth, 0.501 seconds off the pole time.
The rest of the top ten qualifiers in Q3 included Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Mercedes' George Russell, Alpine's Pierre Gasly, and Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto.
In Q2, drivers eliminated from contention for pole position were Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Williams' Carlos Sainz, Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, Alpine's Franco Colapinto, and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad.
Q1 saw the elimination of Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, Haas drivers Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, Williams' Alexander Albon, and Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
Earlier in the day, during the third and final practice session, Antonelli topped the timesheet for Mercedes with a lap time of 136.302, edging out Verstappen by 0.278 seconds. Hadjar secured the third spot, 0.558 seconds behind the leader. The grand prix is set to start at 3 pm local time/10 am Bahrain time on Sunday.