Verstappen on pole for first time in 2026, with Hamilton 2nd and Hadjar 3rd
Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia held at Sepang circuit near Kulala Lumpur
Race rescheduled from April because of Middle East unrest
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Sam Bird
Former Formula E driver on 5 Sports Extra
Not bad from Kimi Antonelli, I think that is a fairly decent lap, should slot into the top three and yes, there we go, third place from him. But the Red Bulls are out in front, can anybody catch them?
Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent
Antonelli is just coming out onto the track now, he is obviously going for a lap in the middle of this session. He has the track all to himself while everybody else comes back, resets and gets ready to go again at the end of the session.
Image source, Getty ImagesKimi Antonelli has the track to himself as the rest of the pack regroup in the garage. The two Red Bulls have the front-row spots at the moment, but Isack Hadjar will be moving down five-places with his engine-related penalty.
Lewis Hamilton is third, Oscar Piastri is fourth and the other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc is fifth.
The lap is done for Antonelli and his time places him third in the shootout for now.
Here come the rest for another crack at Verstappen's time.
Sam Bird
Former Formula E driver on 5 Sports Extra
The McLarens have looked a little bit out of shape all weekend so far.
I would say Piastri has looked on top of Lando Norris in terms of lap time. Lando Norris though, up to P4 and Piastri up to third.
George Russell has slipped to fourth as other drivers complete their first flying laps in Q3.
Lewis Hamilton puts his Ferrari on the front row in second but Max Verstappen is on form at the Sepang International Circuit. The Dutchman shuffles Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar into second with a time of 1:35.250.
Russell is now seventh, but we haven't seen an attempt by Kimi Antonelli just yet.
Gabriel Bortoleto is flying the flag for Audi while Pierre Gasly is carrying the hopes of Alpine in Q3. The rest of the field is made up the Red Bulls, the McLarens, the Ferraris and the Mercedes.
George Russell is quickest in the middle sector while Isack Hadjar has banked the best middle sector. Russell crosses the line to go top, but Frenchman Hadjar beats his team by more than four tenths.
Sam Bird
Former Formula E driver on 5 Sports Extra
Image source, Getty ImagesFor Gabi Bortoleto in the Audi, to get through to Q3 is like being on the front row. It is that big of a deal when you don't have a car capable and you are able to get it through, it is the best feeling for these guys.
Kimi Antonelli has only one fresh set of soft tyres now, says Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord to Sky Sports, after the Italian championship leader had a lap time deleted in Q2.
Right, is this a Verstapen-Antonelli showdown? Most of you have gone for the Mercedes man for pole today.
Q3 is green.
Lawson: "Thank you Arvid that was very good."
Lindblad: "Yeah, I tried."
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Sam Bird
Former Formula E driver on 5 Sports Extra
When has a country hosted a race named after a different country?
Swiss GP in Dijon early 80s! They couldn't hold a Swiss GP in Switzerland because they banned F1 in after Le Mans '55
Samantha, London
Swiss Grand Prix at Dijon 1982, won by Keke Rosberg.
Nicholas, Hampshire
Pretty sure San Marino was in Italy
Luke, UK
11. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
14. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
16. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
Image source, Getty ImagesLiam Lawson in the Racing Bulls lifts himself to 10th place and into Q2, for now. He's knocked down Gabriel Bortoleto but there is still time for the Audi man to save his skin. Can he pull out another good lap and make the pole fight?
Yes he can! Lawson falls into the snake pit once again and is out.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe opening sector for Kimi Antonelli doesn't light up the screens, and neither does the middle one. But the main objective for the championship leader is to get his first time down and climb out of the elimination zone.
Antonelli crosses the line and goes second, 0.263secs off Max Verstappen's top time.
Sam Bird
Former Formula E driver on 5 Sports Extra
Image source, Getty ImagesThe drivability that Max Verstappen has got, especially in sector three, has been so much better than anybody else. He makes one sweeping movement with his hands.
With a lap time scrubbed and time ticking away, Kimi Antonelli is out sharpish before the mad rush begins. The fastest marker so far is Max Verstappen's 1:35.696, with Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri the closest to the Dutchman on the timesheets.
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When the Aston Martins perform, the whole midfield has to fight to escape Q1. Lindblad was right on the edge. It's great to see the competition.
Alex, Exeter
11. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
12. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
13. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
14. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
16. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
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This is such a beautiful track for fast racing, really missed Malaysia! Proper F1 track
Jack, London
The purple sectors are clocking up for Max Verstappen despite his note for driving slowly. The Dutchman goes quickest and drops into the 1:35s. Charles Leclerc is just behind him, 0.274 second off the pace of the Red Bull.
The upgraded Mercedes, meanwhile, is not showing the competitive speed so far that we thought it would - and now Kimi Antonelli has had a lap dinged for track limits.
Sam Bird
Former Formula E driver on 5 Sports Extra
How many other times has there been a grand prix in a certain country, but named as if it was in a different country? Where and when has that happened before?
| Rank | Driver | Number | Fastest Lap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kimi Antonelli  Mercedes | 12 | 1:36.302 | 12 |
2 | Max Verstappen  Red Bull | 3 | 1:36.580 | 12 |
3 | Isack Hadjar  Red Bull | 6 | 1:36.860 | 15 |
4 | George Russell  Mercedes | 63 | 1:36.912 | 11 |
5 | Charles Leclerc  Ferrari | 16 | 1:37.016 | 19 |
6 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:37.041 | 15 |
7 | Lando Norris McLaren | 1 | 1:37.161 | 15 |
8 | Oscar Piastri  McLaren | 81 | 1:37.366 | 16 |
9 | Franco Colapinto  Alpine | 43 | 1:37.920 | 20 |
10 | Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls | 41 | 1:38.084 | 24 |
11 | Gabriel Bortoleto  Audi | 5 | 1:38.204 | 15 |
12 | Fernando Alonso  Aston Martin | 14 | 1:38.223 | 13 |
13 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:38.241 | 20 |
14 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:38.252 | 12 |
15 | Liam Lawson  Racing Bulls | 30 | 1:38.266 | 17 |
16 | Nico Hulkenberg  Audi | 27 | 1:38.356 | 14 |
17 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:38.692 | 12 |
18 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:38.716 | 21 |
19 | Lance Stroll  Aston Martin | 18 | 1:38.811 | 12 |
20 | Alexander Albon  Williams | 23 | 1:39.049 | 18 |
21 | Valtteri Bottas  Cadillac | 77 | 1:39.931 | 14 |
22 | Sergio Perez  Cadillac | 11 | 1:40.223 | 20 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Fastest Lap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 1:37.528 | 29 |
2 | Isack Hadjar Red Bull | 6 | 1:37.627 | 23 |
3 | Lando Norris McLaren | 1 | 1:37.665 | 25 |
4 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 3 | 1:37.785 | 20 |
5 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:37.833 | 28 |
6 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 1:37.899 | 26 |
7 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 1:38.020 | 28 |
8 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 1:38.060 | 28 |
9 | Liam Lawson Racing Bulls | 30 | 1:38.496 | 30 |
10 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:38.588 | 29 |
11 | Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls | 41 | 1:38.880 | 33 |
12 | Gabriel Bortoleto Audi | 5 | 1:39.051 | 25 |
13 | Nico Hulkenberg Audi | 27 | 1:39.109 | 30 |
14 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:39.361 | 29 |
15 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 1:39.478 | 28 |
16 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:39.706 | 30 |
17 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:39.930 | 31 |
18 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 1:40.150 | 26 |
19 | Valtteri Bottas Cadillac | 77 | 1:40.186 | 27 |
20 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 1:40.221 | 30 |
21 | Sergio Perez Cadillac | 11 | 1:40.938 | 28 |
22 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 1:43.391 | 31 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Fastest Lap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 3 | 1:37.520 | 23 |
2 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 1:37.903 | 25 |
3 | Isack Hadjar Red Bull | 6 | 1:38.303 | 23 |
4 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 1:38.367 | 25 |
5 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 1:38.580 | 23 |
6 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:38.590 | 21 |
7 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:38.715 | 22 |
8 | Liam Lawson Racing Bulls | 30 | 1:39.106 | 22 |
9 | Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls | 41 | 1:39.197 | 27 |
10 | Nico Hulkenberg Audi | 27 | 1:39.211 | 23 |
11 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 1:39.276 | 23 |
12 | Lando Norris McLaren | 1 | 1:39.293 | 21 |
13 | Gabriel Bortoleto Audi | 5 | 1:39.548 | 25 |
14 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 1:39.683 | 22 |
15 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:40.158 | 23 |
16 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:40.311 | 23 |
17 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 1:40.321 | 22 |
18 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 1:40.413 | 19 |
19 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 1:40.531 | 22 |
20 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:40.605 | 25 |
21 | Valtteri Bottas Cadillac | 77 | 1:40.800 | 23 |
22 | Sergio Perez Cadillac | 11 | 1:40.820 | 24 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 2 | Qualifying 2 | Qualifying 3 | Qualifying 3 | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 3 | fastest lap 1:36.477 | fastest lap 1:36.477 | fastest lap 1:35.696 | fastest lap 1:35.696 | fastest lap 1:35.130 | fastest lap 1:35.130 | Qualifying 3, fastest lap 1:35.130 |
2 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 1:36.595 | 1:36.595 | 1:36.032 | 1:36.032 | 1:35.428 | 1:35.428 | Qualifying 3, 1:35.428 |
3 | Isack Hadjar Red Bull | 6 | 1:36.898 | 1:36.898 | 1:36.192 | 1:36.192 | 1:35.558 | 1:35.558 | Qualifying 3, 1:35.558 |
4 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 1:37.041 | 1:37.041 | 1:35.959 | 1:35.959 | 1:35.631 | 1:35.631 | Qualifying 3, 1:35.631 |
5 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 1:36.730 | 1:36.730 | 1:35.970 | 1:35.970 | 1:35.666 | 1:35.666 | Qualifying 3, 1:35.666 |
6 | Lando Norris McLaren | 1 | 1:37.092 | 1:37.092 | 1:36.173 | 1:36.173 | 1:35.757 | 1:35.757 | Qualifying 3, 1:35.757 |
7 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 1:36.852 | 1:36.852 | 1:36.020 | 1:36.020 | 1:35.762 | 1:35.762 | Qualifying 3, 1:35.762 |
8 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 1:37.264 | 1:37.264 | 1:36.245 | 1:36.245 | 1:35.871 | 1:35.871 | Qualifying 3, 1:35.871 |
9 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 1:37.174 | 1:37.174 | 1:36.410 | 1:36.410 | 1:37.210 | 1:37.210 | Qualifying 3, 1:37.210 |
10 | Gabriel Bortoleto Audi | 5 | 1:37.106 | 1:37.106 | 1:36.814 | 1:36.814 | 1:37.673 | 1:37.673 | Qualifying 3, 1:37.673 |
11 | Liam Lawson Racing Bulls | 30 | 1:37.332 | 1:37.332 | 1:37.023 | 1:37.023 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:37.023 |
12 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 1:37.721 | 1:37.721 | 1:37.220 | 1:37.220 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:37.220 |
13 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 1:37.651 | 1:37.651 | 1:37.527 | 1:37.527 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:37.527 |
14 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 1:37.729 | 1:37.729 | 1:37.566 | 1:37.566 | not available | not available | Qualifying 2, 1:37.566 |
15 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 1:37.179 | 1:37.179 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:37.179 |
16 | Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls | 41 | 1:37.883 | 1:37.883 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:37.883 |
17 | Nico Hulkenberg Audi | 27 | 1:37.970 | 1:37.970 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:37.970 |
18 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 1:37.980 | 1:37.980 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:37.980 |
19 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 1:38.233 | 1:38.233 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:38.233 |
20 | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 1:38.600 | 1:38.600 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:38.600 |
21 | Valtteri Bottas Cadillac | 77 | 1:38.611 | 1:38.611 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:38.611 |
22 | Sergio Perez Cadillac | 11 | 1:38.933 | 1:38.933 | not available | not available | not available | not available | Qualifying 1, 1:38.933 |
| Rank | Driver | Number | Grid | Pits | Fastest Lap | Race Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen Red Bull | 3 | 1 | 3 | fastest overall lap 1:38.220 | 1:47:14.808 | 25 |
2 | Kimi Antonelli Mercedes | 12 | 3 | 3 | 1:38.589 | 2.307 behind | 18 |
3 | Lewis Hamilton Ferrari | 44 | 2 | 2 | 1:38.610 | 4.919 behind | 15 |
4 | Charles Leclerc Ferrari | 16 | 4 | 4 | 1:39.336 | 7.258 behind | 12 |
5 | Isack Hadjar Red Bull | 6 | 8 | 3 | 1:39.792 | 8.571 behind | 10 |
6 | Oscar Piastri McLaren | 81 | 6 | 4 | 1:39.485 | 9.454 behind | 8 |
7 | Liam Lawson Racing Bulls | 30 | 11 | 3 | 1:40.254 | 12.753 behind | 6 |
8 | Fernando Alonso Aston Martin | 14 | 12 | 3 | 1:40.353 | 13.372 behind | 4 |
9 | Lando Norris McLaren | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1:39.970 | 13.993 behind | 2 |
10 | Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls | 41 | 22 | 3 | 1:40.315 | 15.928 behind | 1 |
11 | Nico Hulkenberg Audi | 27 | 15 | 4 | 1:41.394 | 17.404 behind | 0 |
12 | Lance Stroll Aston Martin | 18 | 14 | 4 | 1:41.248 | 18.052 behind | 0 |
13 | Franco Colapinto Alpine | 43 | 21 | 3 | 1:40.988 | 18.997 behind | 0 |
14 | Oliver Bearman Haas | 87 | 16 | 3 | 1:40.366 | 22.305 behind | 0 |
15 | Esteban Ocon Haas | 31 | 17 | 3 | 1:42.062 | 22.532 behind | 0 |
16 | Pierre Gasly Alpine | 10 | 9 | 4 | 1:41.514 | 23.315 behind | 0 |
17 | Carlos Sainz Jnr Williams | 55 | 13 | 3 | 1:41.738 | 25.431 behind | 0 |
18 | Gabriel Bortoleto Audi | 5 | 10 | 5 | 1:41.382 | 28.233 behind | 0 |
19 | Sergio Perez Cadillac | 11 | 20 | 7 | 1:42.688 | 29.310 behind | 0 |
20 | George Russell Mercedes | 63 | 7 | 0 | 1:40.715 | did not finish completed 55 laps | 0 |
not available | Alexander Albon Williams | 23 | 18 | 0 | 1:42.284 | did not finish completed 55 laps | 0 |
not available | Valtteri Bottas Cadillac | 77 | 19 | 0 | 1:59.953 | did not finish completed 55 laps | 0 |