Verstappen snatches first 2026 pole to share Sepang front row with Hamilton

Max Verstappen secured his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season at the Sepang International Circuit on Saturday, edging Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds to line up alongside his long-time rival on the front row of the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The result marks the first time the two drivers have shared a front row since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Rounding out the top five in qualifying were Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Hadjar, however, will drop five places on the grid due to a penalty, promoting those behind him before the race start.

The prospect of Verstappen and Hamilton going wheel-to-wheel into Turn 1 at Sepang has generated a wave of excitement online, with fans drawing comparisons to their fierce 2021 championship battle. “Absolute cinema every time it happens,” read one widely shared Reddit comment, while another posted: “Max and Hamilton on the front row in Sepang. Roll the years back.” A third fan added: “Verstappen and Hamilton showing everyone why they are the OGs.”

One comment captured the broader sense of nostalgia: “There’s no combination of drivers on first and second spot on the grid that gives some anticipation and anxiety for the race like Max and Lewis do. I expect some banger tomorrow if the Ferrari can keep up the pace.”

For Hamilton, the front row continues a remarkable record at this circuit — the seven-time champion has started from the front row in each of his last five visits to Sepang.

Verstappen, who has been chasing his first pole of the season across several rounds, described the result as a significant milestone given Red Bull’s difficult start to the year. “We have been trying many grands prix to get pole,” the four-time world champion said after qualifying. “Sometimes a bit closer than others but to finally get it, from where we started the season, pretty incredible. I’m happy with today and, for sure, I’m going to try and win tomorrow. When you start first, that’s the target.”