Verstappen storms to first pole of 2026 ahead of Hamilton

Max Verstappen took pole position in qualifying in Malaysia on Saturday, 3 October, beating Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds.

It is Verstappen's first pole of 2026, and Red Bull's first of the year as well, according to the timing screens BBC Sport. He topped all three sessions of qualifying. That is the timed shoot-out that sets the starting order, with the fastest driver earning pole: first place on the grid.

Hamilton will start second. The seven-time champion was the closest challenger but could not match Verstappen's final lap. The gap was clear. Three tenths in Formula 1 is decisive.

The second row has a twist. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar set the third-fastest time but carries a five-place grid penalty, which drops a driver down the starting order as punishment for an infringement. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli therefore moves up to third on the grid.

That matters for the title maths. Antonelli's teammate and closest rival, George Russell, qualified only eighth fastest. It gives the leader a clean chance to stretch his advantage on Sunday.

Behind them, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc qualified fifth fastest, ahead of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. With Hadjar sliding back, Leclerc and the McLarens will each gain a place on the final grid.

For Verstappen, it is a return to familiar ground. The four-time champion came into the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend sitting sixth in the standings and had said he wants to win at least one race in 2026 Reuters. He had already shown pace by leading Russell in opening practice.

What makes this stand out is control. Verstappen was fastest from the start of qualifying to the end. No late scramble. No traffic drama. Just three clean sessions at the top.