Verstappen Ends Red Bull Pole Drought With Bahrain Qualifying Masterclass

Max Verstappen secured Red Bull’s first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season with a dominant qualifying display at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion topped all three qualifying sessions to finish 0.298 seconds clear of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and claim his first pole of the campaign.
Verstappen’s previous pole position came at last year’s Abu Dhabi season finale, where he also went on to win the race.
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar produced the third-fastest time, but his five-place grid penalty will drop him down the starting order, promoting championship leader Kimi Antonelli to third.
Antonelli’s Mercedes team-mate and closest title rival, George Russell, end...