Red Bull put both of its cars inside the top three in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, with Max Verstappen taking pole position and Isack Hadjar producing another impressive performance to qualify third. Hadjar will drop five places on the grid because of an internal combustion engine change, but his result continued the positive trend he has shown since returning at Baku following his wrist injury.
The qualifying session ended with Max Verstappen on top as Formula 1 returned to the unusual setting of Sepang after a nine-year absence. The Dutchman was comfortably the fastest driver over a single lap, recording a 1:35.130 to secure his first pole position of the season and the 49th of his Formula 1 career.
Max Verstappen dominates Bahrain GP qualifying at Sepang
Max Verstappen improved on both of his Q3 attempts and established a clear advantage over his rivals in the decisive phase of qualifying.
The closest challenger was an impressive Lewis Hamilton, who finished 0.298 seconds behind and returned to the front row after several difficult months.
Completing the qualifying top three was the second Red Bull of Isack Hadjar. The Franco-Algerian driver has continued his strong run of form since Baku despite recently recovering from a wrist injury.
Isack Hadjar gives Red Bull a second car at the front
Hadjar’s performance provided another encouraging sign for Red Bull, with both cars showing the pace to compete near the front of the field.
The result will not translate directly to the starting grid, however. Isack Hadjar must serve a five-place penalty following the replacement of his ICE, the internal combustion engine.
Instead of starting third, the 22-year-old will therefore begin Sunday’s race from eighth and face a difficult recovery through the field.
Isack Hadjar enjoying fight at the front with Red Bull
Speaking to F1 TV after qualifying, Isack Hadjar highlighted how much confidence he currently has in the car.
“The car has been working very well since last week. It’s nice to be back at this level. I like fighting for the top three positions, I’m enjoying myself.”
“Even though it wasn’t my best session, it was still a nice feeling.”
The performance reinforces the positive direction Red Bull has shown in recent events. While Max Verstappen delivered the headline result with pole position, Hadjar’s ability to qualify inside the top three gave the team another indication that it can now rely on both cars near the front.
Grid penalty complicates Hadjar’s Bahrain GP race
Hadjar acknowledged that the power unit penalty is particularly frustrating given Red Bull’s competitiveness at Sepang.
“It’s a shame to take a penalty at a track where we are so fast. I think from where we are starting we can come back and get a good result, at least we hope so.”
Starting eighth will make that task considerably more difficult, but Red Bull’s qualifying pace gives Isack Hadjar reason to believe he can recover positions during the race.
For Max Verstappen, the opportunity is very different. Starting from pole gives the four-time world champion control of the opening phase of the race after producing the strongest qualifying performance of Red Bull’s season so far.
The broader championship situation can be followed in the Formula 1 driver standings, while the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang schedule includes the race start time and full weekend details.
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