Verstappen seals first Red Bull-Ford pole in Bahrain with warning to rivals

Max Verstappen put Red Bull back on top in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang on Saturday, beating Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by almost three-tenths of a second to claim the team’s first pole position of its partnership with Ford.

It was Verstappen’s first pole since the 2025 season finale at Abu Dhabi, and he was quick to credit the team’s development work heading into Sunday’s race.

“At some tracks, we were kind of close, but now I think this weekend it was very positive for us,” Verstappen said in the post-qualifying press conference. “I think from FP1 we started quite well, and from then onwards, we’ve just been trying to improve the car further. Honestly, I’m very happy to be on pole here.”

The four-time world champion acknowledged the demands of the Sepang circuit, where heat management across brakes, tyres and machinery makes the race a significant test of strategy and endurance. “It’s tough always around here. It’s very hot for ourselves, but for the cars, for the brakes, for the tyres. The race is definitely going to be a tough one. You have to manage a lot.”

Teammate Isack Hadjar also impressed in qualifying, finishing third, but a five-place grid penalty drops the rookie to eighth on the starting grid. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli moves up to take his place on the second row.

When asked whether he was concerned that rivals may have sacrificed qualifying pace in favour of stronger race-day performance, Verstappen was dismissive. “I’m confident in what I did. If others make bigger sacrifices, then good luck to them. But I’m ready.”

The result will raise expectations around Red Bull’s competitiveness after a difficult stretch of weekends, with Verstappen suggesting the improvements felt genuine from the opening practice session. Whether that pace translates into a race win on Sunday — against a field that includes Hamilton, Antonelli and a grid capable of strategic surprises — remains to be seen.