Verstappen takes dominant pole for F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia-Xinhua
by F1 correspondent Michael Butterworth SEPANG, Malaysia, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season on Saturday with a dominant qualifying performance for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, as F1 returned to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017. The Red Bull driver topped all three qualifying sessions and produced a best lap of one minute, 35.130 seconds in Q3, finishing 0.298 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton. Kimi Antonelli took third for Mercedes, ahead of Charles Leclerc and the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Red Bull's strong showing was underlined by Isack Hadjar setting the third-fastest time, though the Frenchman will start eighth after receiving a five-place grid penalty for fitting ...