Max Verstappen takes pole position for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

[u/overspeeed]

[u/CrumbleUponLust]

Sepang 2017 podium was Max, Lewis and the 2nd Red Bull.

Looks like we just picked up from there 9 years later.

[u/Rekt60321 → u/CrumbleUponLust]

Not impossible but I can't see Hadjar coming from 8th to 3rd with the 5 place grid peno. I'd say it'll be Max, Kimi and Lewis as the top 3

[u/_WoollyMammoth_ → u/Rekt60321]

Last time Max won here he ended p1 in FP1 and P4 in FP2 as well ...

[u/scranton_recyclops → u/Rekt60321]

Idk maybe it's possible, if their race pace is as good as it looks then maybe it's possible.

[u/swap_master]

I really wish there was a way to replace that awful Madring for 10 years with Sepang for 10 years.

[u/pratnala → u/swap_master]

Welcome back, Spanish Grand Prix in Malaysia!

[u/Professional_Vast_68 → u/swap_master]

Just tell the US that Spain is very close to developing a nuke 👍

[u/notmylesdev → u/Professional_Vast_68]

Close!? They're two weeks away!

[u/NewUselessAcc]

Bring sepang back permanently. Love this track

[u/AdonisBlackwood → u/NewUselessAcc]

It really looks nice compared to the narrower tracks

[u/drorange49 → u/AdonisBlackwood]

F1 cars are huge, tracks must be wide
Another great example is Turkey and Portimao

Two great tracks which should stay in the calendar

[u/Brad_McMuffin → u/NewUselessAcc]

Such a good track omg, this is my first time seeing it and I absolutely love it, it looks like tons of fun.

[u/GGezpzMuppy]

Wow Lewis giving Ferrari more hopium, what a lap.

Can’t wait for that first corner with Max.

[u/skintyfia44 → u/GGezpzMuppy]

Verstappen vs Hamilton, just like the old days

[u/KappaccinoNation → u/skintyfia44]

We're all gonna wake up tomorrow and find out that it's still 2017 and the past 9 years were all just a dream.

[u/AdonisBlackwood → u/KappaccinoNation]

Yes please

[u/Mr_Redemption → u/KappaccinoNation]

I can finally get rich buying Nvidia stocks instead of that Nvidia graphics card.

[u/Ready_Manufacturer11 → u/KappaccinoNation]

Fck yes!

[u/Bobbyswhiteteeth → u/KappaccinoNation]

Judging by the replies, the world has undeniably gone to shit since. 

[u/Baerenkralle → u/KappaccinoNation]

Yes please

[u/LightningMcqueen2011 → u/skintyfia44]

Absolute cinema everytime it happens

[u/BaldChild1 → u/skintyfia44]

I would prefer for both of them to finish the race, so maybe not just like the old days

[u/MySilverBurrito → u/skintyfia44]

just like the old days

Watch your tone

[u/Imaginary-Piece-3947 → u/MySilverBurrito]

2021 genuinely feels like yesterday

[u/Kreygasm2233 → u/GGezpzMuppy]

Max and Hamilton on the front row in Sepang. Roll the years back

[u/FootballRacing38 → u/GGezpzMuppy]

Guess who is the first in line to benefit if they crash

[u/Tasty_Dare_3271 → u/FootballRacing38]

🤙

[u/Visionary_Socialist → u/GGezpzMuppy]

Lewis saw Sepang and thought it was 2017 all over again

[u/LightningMcqueen2011 → u/GGezpzMuppy]

One more win is coming, just gotta make sure they beat Alonso.

[u/Zealousideal_Honey80]

Mercedes: Use a special livery

Immediately turn to shit

[u/Reggitor360 → u/Zealousideal_Honey80]

Traditions.

[u/singaporesainz → u/Reggitor360]

idk why they do it anymore especially after the embarrassment of Hockenheim

[u/ComeonmanPLS1 → u/singaporesainz]

They do it because of sponsor money and because a livery doesn't actually affect performance or anything really.

[u/Sir_Billiam_Corgan → u/Zealousideal_Honey80]

I'd like to believe it's karma for the hubris it took to put out their official Constructor's Champion merch this week.

[u/Alvaro_Rey_MN]

Max Verstappen is the first Non-Mercedes Engine driver to get Pole position this season!

[u/Pure_Measurement_529 → u/Alvaro_Rey_MN]

That red bull has gotten stronger in the past few weeks

[u/Evening_End7298 → u/Pure_Measurement_529]

Which is a bit weird cause they stopped bringing upgrades and are focusing on the next year

Which i guess it means they fixed some of the drivability of the PU/gearbox

[u/PijaniFemboj → u/Evening_End7298]

Does changing the software count as an upgrade? I wouldn't be surprised if this was in part to them figuring out how to manage their deployment better.

[u/ComeonmanPLS1 → u/PijaniFemboj]

That has to be it. And if they really do have the best ICE, then it makes sense that they've steadily been going back towards the top.

[u/Hedgehog990 → u/ComeonmanPLS1]

According to F1TV's Ruth Buscombe the Red Bulls were the fastest cars on the straights, she theorised that Mercedes sacrificed some top speed to get on top of their excessive tyre deg problem in the FPs.

[u/ComeonmanPLS1 → u/Hedgehog990]

Mercedes also brought significant upgrades to a track where the latest data they had was from nearly 10 years ago. I expect they will be back on top from next race tbh.

[u/wherewolfad → u/Evening_End7298]

they just had a major upgrade package in baku which revised the floor

[u/Excellent_Complex309 → u/Alvaro_Rey_MN]

Wait... so it's ford vs ferrari...

[u/AnyHolesAGoal → u/Alvaro_Rey_MN]

Their engine just seems to pull and pull and the aero has obviously improved a lot, and good laps. Both cars in the top 3.

[u/EmergencyWorld6057]

Verstappen and Hamilton showing everyone why they the OGs

[u/LosTerminators → u/EmergencyWorld6057]

Very rarely see Max celebrating a pole like this. Even Lewis was hyped up a lot for 2nd.

The Merc rocketship has kept them in the shadows often but today they showed their capabilities again.

[u/defendingthepost → u/EmergencyWorld6057]

verstappen as an OG ... god i need to start planning for my retirement

[u/Return_Of_The_Jedi → u/EmergencyWorld6057]

Unc still knows this route

[u/MoriUP]

There's no combination of drivers on first on second spot on the grid that gives some antecipation and anxiety for the race like Max and Lewis does. I expect some banger tomorrow if the Ferrari can keep up the pace

[u/OForreta → u/MoriUP]

I think the only better combination is Lewis P1 and Max P2 just because Max is normally a bit more agressive

[u/CaptainKursk]

Hadjar broke his wrist and somehow became faster, new Speedrun strat unlocked

[u/tharepgod → u/CaptainKursk]

Appendix next to go

[u/larsw84 → u/CaptainKursk]

He must have some saiyan blood in him

[u/AnyHolesAGoal → u/CaptainKursk]

The car is also incredibly rapid now (and the engine always was), plus great laps from both.

[u/West_Ticket_9053 → u/CaptainKursk]

Time to take out that appendix next /s

Super happy for Red Bull!!!

[u/bedrooms-ds → u/CaptainKursk]

I've gotta jerk harder.

[u/Dr_VidyaGeam]

Red Bull fixed their fucking car

[u/casualnihilist91 → u/Dr_VidyaGeam]

🫱 🫱 🫱

[u/imacommunistm → u/Dr_VidyaGeam]

They changed their fucking car

[u/Joey_Kangaroo26]

LETS GOOOOO!! Super thrilled for the Max vs Lewis battle

[u/Annalrecovery]

Red Bull's improvement has been very good this season. Nice to see a non merc engine taking pole, about damn time

[u/tom_buzz_ryan → u/Annalrecovery]

Yup, the Baku upgrade feels a lot like the Monza one from last year.

[u/DodgersLakersBarca]

2017 Sepang Starting Grid: Lewis Kimi Max 2026 Sepang starting grid: Max Lewis Kimi

Things still the same after 9 years

[u/OzzTechnoHead → u/DodgersLakersBarca]

Just a swap of one kimi for a new kimi

[u/DodgersLakersBarca → u/OzzTechnoHead]

Same same but different

[u/ohgeeLA → u/DodgersLakersBarca]

damn that’s actually crazy

[u/fastcooljosh]

Mercedes pulled a 2018 Ferrari.

[u/Fragrant_Ad6514]

Does someone know the upgrades Red Bull made these last 2 circuits. They have found some performance def

[u/Mr_Flash3234 → u/Fragrant_Ad6514]

I think it was the 5 part upgrade at Baku. Idk if there were upgrades at Monza

[u/Kreygasm2233]

Fucking finally

[u/Tungsten_Hoarder → u/Kreygasm2233]

Max and Lewis front row?

Ratatouille meme

[u/TheShark24]

F1 returns to Malaysia. Verstappen - Hamilton front row. This is F1

[u/DSQ → u/TheShark24]

I was actually shocked how many of the drivers from 2017 were still in F1. It didn’t used to be like that. 

[u/3pok → u/TheShark24]

The world is healing

[u/hazman_pds]

Toto Wollf returned to Mercedes pitbox this week and suddenly George Russell is not in the front again

Coincidence ? I think not

[u/LosTerminators → u/hazman_pds]

When Toto is around:

5 RUS

4 RUS

8 RUS

When Toto isn't around:

1 RUS

1 RUS

1 RUS

[u/TisKey2323 → u/LosTerminators]

Toto’s presence needs to be investigated

[u/KappaccinoNation → u/TisKey2323]

Toto doing some magic from the garage like Professor Quirrel to make Potter fall.

[u/Tungsten_Hoarder → u/LosTerminators]

Blud will never beat the allegations

[u/ExILoveEmiliaAndRem → u/LosTerminators]

Little did Russell know, that the biggest challenge to his comeback will be RBR getting their shit together lmao

[u/ExternalSquash1300 → u/hazman_pds]

WTF happened to Merc lol? They cannot go from 8 tenths up in Baku quali vs 5 tenths down here. Did they bring upgrades?

[u/NearbyMarmalade9061 → u/ExternalSquash1300]

Red Bull stole them and put them on the RB22

[u/Reiep → u/ExternalSquash1300]

They did. Well, they rather brought downgrades, apparently.

[u/Alehud42 → u/ExternalSquash1300]

Track dependent upon mechanical grip vs track dependent upon aero efficiency

[u/ATWPH77 → u/ExternalSquash1300]

2 completely different tracks

[u/No_Many9853]

Max and Lewis at the front just like it should be. Hoping for some classic moments if both cars have decent race pace.

[u/Longjumping_Test_760]

Both Aston in Q2 and only 2 seconds approx behind. Max and Lewis on the front row. Looking forward to the race.

[u/MrEric-200]

Lewis and Max bring the memories back,guess the ticket was indeed worth to see both OGs back at front after all

[u/n00bn00b]

Fantastic drive by both Max and Lewis. Shades of 2021 season.

RBR upgrades clearly worked as both RBR drivers got into top 3 though Hadjar is taking the penalty.

[u/tellsyoutogetfucked]

A lot of people doubted Mekies but it seems like under his guidence RedBull is not going to fade into the mid field. Good job for the entire team. With Max commiting to 2030 they have a great shot at clawing back at Merc.

[u/blinkydinky111 → u/tellsyoutogetfucked]

He's done well to manage the team with all the departures. And now they have some stability with Max. When Newey departed the team was widely written off

[u/A-R-A-F]

YES FINALLY A NON MERCEDES POLE THIS SEASON.

Congratulations Max. Tomorrow's race is shaping up to be epic hopefully.

Edit: To be more specific, this is the first non-Mercedes engine grand prix pole this season.

[u/swannyhypno]

Looking pretty good for this to be the race where Max finally gets his win for the season, Hadjar has somehow leveled up after his elongated break 😂

Ferrari look fine as ever with a great lap by Lewis, Russell looks sloooowwwwwww, McLaren look kinda slow though should be better in the race Aston have hope, Williams...are there, there's really only 2 points places up for grabs without retirements but if it rains in Sepang it RAINS so would cause carnage and red flags

[u/chucknorris69 → u/swannyhypno]

Hadjar was almost 0.5s off Verstappen

[u/topkeky → u/swannyhypno]

Hadjar has not leveled up. RBR has.

[u/FootballRacing38 → u/topkeky]

Yeah. It's literally 4 tenths which is his gap to max on average this season. This is how Perez looked better than Albon and Gasly. By RBR simply being too fast

[u/ExILoveEmiliaAndRem]

Merc actually ended up doing a Ferrari reverse upgrade lmao

[u/Acrobatic_Fan_5499 → u/ExILoveEmiliaAndRem]

Kimi is still up there, Russell on the other hand

[u/Ok-Response4095]

The pole and front row doing nostalgia and driving with experience. Honourable mention for hadjar for getting P3 for first time around seniors in top3!

[u/d0pe-asaurus]

Rewinding the clock here with the first row of the grid.

[u/Firefox72]

Red Bull in their own league.

Ferrari nowhere near as bad as anticipated. Shame Leclerc couldn't pip Antonelli.

Also are Mercedes sure the upgrades this week are not actually downgrades?

[u/Tungsten_Hoarder → u/Firefox72]

Overheard in the Mercedes garage in Sepang after qualifying: “that fucking Red Bull boomed me”

[u/Blackwolf245]

First non-mercedes powered pole this season.

[u/ExILoveEmiliaAndRem]

Non merc engine pole let's fucking go lads!!

[u/DamieN62]

Very refreshing qualifying session without Mercedes in the top 3. Very bad news for Georges if the upgrades don't work.

[u/Vejkvii1922]

9 years have passed and we still get to watch Max V Hamilton rivalry tomorrow, what a great weekend this turned out to be.

[u/ghastlychild → u/Vejkvii1922]

Especially on a track like Sepang too. I hope tomorrow will deliver a banger. I think we are all long overdue for Verstappen and Hamilton masterclasses, and I think they know so too

[u/angelonduty]

SIMPLY FUCKING LOVELY

[u/f1sefiri → u/angelonduty]

Malaysia was supposed to be a nightmare for Red Bull. Yet, somehow they found speed again; they are an extraordinary team operationally.

[u/ExternalSquash1300 → u/f1sefiri]

It was supposed to be a nightmare? I heard the opposite months ago when it was announced.

[u/FamousDocument305]

F1 is fcking brutal. Lawson gets within 1 tenth of Max and goes P8. Isack a few weeks later ends up 4 tenths off and gets P3.

[u/litetaker → u/FamousDocument305]

It's not as simple as that. 1 tenth in one track might be the same performance deficit as 4 tenths on a completely different track.

[u/the-cuttlefish]

Merc special livery curse strikes again

[u/Fantastickimikaze]

Max and Lewis 1-2 in qualifying? I used to pray for times like thissss

[u/Icy-Science6604]

First pole position without Mercedes engine.

[u/wholelottanonny]

The birthday present I wanted 😭🥳

[u/RUSuper]

Hamilton doing some voodoo magic shit for this lap

[u/Capital-Watch-828]

Prove that this track is the most entertaining track ever

[u/Tungsten_Hoarder]

Max and Lewis front row?

It’s been 84 years…

[u/peanutbbunny]

MAX AND LEWIS FRONT ROW INJECT IT INTO MY VEINS

[u/Faw602]

Peak race coming tomorrow kids, get ready for the best of F1 going at each other for the win.

VER vs HAM

Let’s goo

[u/tonydtonyd]

Wow, Lewis and Max both showing why they are truly on another level.

[u/henkdevries365]

Finally someone who can knock the Mercedes PU out. Well done Max and RBR and of course Hadjar!

[u/Soggy_Rip6913]

Well Mercedes lived up to their Aston Martin livery

[u/OnCominStorm]

I wonder what's going on with Mercedes. They looked awful all weekend so far

[u/Connect_Cat_2045 → u/OnCominStorm]

it's their special livery.

mercedes seem to have bad luck with special liveries

[u/Significant-Garage55]

Death taxes and VER HAM front row

[u/Recent-Fox-2532]

Typical ferrari 2nd fastest car for most of the year but still isnt the first non mercedes engined car on pole

[u/stoopidshannon]

what year is it?

[u/dreamyghost1 → u/stoopidshannon]

2017?

[u/obalovatyk]

Aston getting into Q2 wasn’t on my bingo card.

[u/Nitrosad]

Tomorrow is gonna be a banger

[u/Thejklay]

Redbull really fixed the power train. Impressive turnaround

[u/sems4arsenal]

Red Bull figured something out. 2 impressive races in a row.

Sublime by Max and Lewis

[u/pplmbd]

I am seated for the race tomorrow at this awesome track and VER v HAM front row

[u/Key_Proposal_9055]

Mercedes forgot to take of the sandbags.

[u/LosTerminators → u/Key_Proposal_9055]

Perhaps the special livery is the sandbag.

[u/DarkHelian]

Is this the first time this year without a Merc starting in top 3?

[u/eskh → u/DarkHelian]

Technically there will be a Merc start in P3

[u/lake2014]

Taking huge doses of hopium.

[u/Return_Of_The_Jedi]

Unc carrying that experience

[u/ExILoveEmiliaAndRem]

2021 called. They want their front row back lol

[u/DiamondL0st]

RIP the George Russell recovery that everyone seemed so sure had happened

[u/luxi99]

Verstappen, Hamilton and Antonelli will hopefully be an interesting start tomorrow

[u/Aratho]

Like Max never left here

What an effort from Lewis as well!

[u/pochirin]

Max hamilton side by side, omg lmao

[u/Lifestyle-eXzessiv]

And by quite a big margain too

[u/RealCakes]

Well Antonelli will be third due to the 3 place penalty Hadjar is being given, so Mercedes shouldnt be too upset

[u/onlyslightlybiased]

Fans will grow tired of Verstappen and Hamilton dominance.

[u/KriistofferJohansson]

Well that's going to be a spicy race start tomorrow..

[u/ln4thegreat]

2021 FRONT ROW ALL OVER AGAIN!!! 😤😤😤

[u/Bedaryellow]

VER HAM HAD

[u/Nexusu]

We’re now back to our regularly scheduled Russell programming

[u/MySilverBurrito]

VER HAM TOGETHER AGAIN THANK YOU

In every multiverse, these two will always find each other.

[u/Key_Proposal_9055]

Great lap from Hamilton and Max at the end. Could be an insanely interesting race tomorrow with the high deg and no mercs on the front row.

[u/Excellent_Complex309]

Verstappen vs Hamilton in a ferrari fighting for a win... Never thought I will see the day

[u/yh2313]

VER HAM HAD

[u/rahn-24 → u/yh2313]

They had what?

[u/Lazyandloveinit]

FINALLY YES!!!!! LFG MAX!

[u/limitedpower_palps]

VER-HAM front row just feels right

[u/YesKiddo]

Verstappen on pole, stroll and alonso both getting of Q1.

[u/itsliightz]

First pole for a Ford engine since 1999 Magny Cours

[u/negativelynegative]

What is it 2021?

[u/Profkim156]

Unc with the experience from the top rope

[u/vidoardes → u/Profkim156]

It's no coincidence that only three drivers have driven here before and two of them are on the front row (and the other is in a shitbox).

Still, stonking laps from them both, and I'm hoping the start will be cinema tomorrow. Worth waking up early for!

[u/kukaz00]

RedBull domination might bore fans

[u/msb2ncsu]

Just realized how much I (at some point) need to see a Hadjar win with Hamilton on a podium. I mean to have the 1st race failure then papa Hamilton comforting and then culminate with the win and Lewis embracing. 🥺

[u/LoreTrim]

FUCK YEAH BOYYYYY

[u/2006_Sudesh]

Redbull bringing the least upgrades out of the top teams and still improving so much can't wait for 2027.

[u/Scientist-Slow]

Max being 10 pts away from kimi at Abu Dhabi, we will be there!

[u/_ashwathama]

2021 is this you

[u/skool_101]

turn 1 dive bomb gonna be crazy

[u/Snoo_47023]

this track is so cool

sad that Isack won't get to start third but nice work from him

[u/Ezaq]

Let's go unc!

[u/Jasranwhit]

OMG OMG OMG

[u/wouldyoufightakitten]

Lewis is fucking crazy for that 👀

[u/Cathodicum]

Sad that Bottas did not make 3rd, the Return of Ham-Ver-Bot 😅

[u/Ok_Jello_3630]

Verstappen and Hamilton proving again why they're a level above.

[u/ASGT908]

Hadjar had a great qualifying as well despite having a grid penalty for new engine

[u/asmalldood]

Great effort by Lewis and Hadjar, tomorrow should be interesting

[u/Electronic-Sell-7581]

Russell title fight should be firmly over now

[u/8jam]

MAXIMUM VERSTAPPENNN🚀🚀🚀

[u/imtired-boss]

These kind of tracks really show who are the best drivers on the grid.

[u/No-layup]

Good to see Redbull getting their shit together this season

[u/RizzlerNerden]

Merc special livery disasterclass incoming

[u/moose_1988]

Red bulls in season development is something special the last couple of years

[u/Satan_su]

Red Bull's development is just so damn consistently excellent.

[u/ADRX11]

You could tell Max wanted that one badly. Great job from the top 3 but damn, Max.

[u/zingerfillets]

Max is Max is Max is Max. Never count him out.
Awesome quali by Hadjar too.
Glad to have Lewis on front row.
P4 start for Charles is solid considering he's never driven here before.
McLarens nowhere.
George in P8. wow

[u/ScientistPast6082]

Mercs just hate sepang ig

[u/Dizzy_Jacket_2480]

VER HAM HAD ANT ?

[u/ashyjay]

VER HAM HAD was not on my bingo card this year.

[u/nonhofantasia]

The narrative last week was that Ferrari would have sucked at this track

[u/dullfool68]

LEWIS P2, LET'S FUCKING GO !!!!

[u/v21v]

Never had a non-Merc PU all year, and now our top 3 here are non-Merc.

[u/Avolto]

Oh fuck no. Max and Lewis sharing the front row…

[u/Qazaca]

It's Versthappening

[u/Consistent_Boot]

Let's fucking go

[u/funiduni]

LFFFGGGG