Max Verstappen secured his first pole of the 2026 F1 season in qualifying at Malaysia, calling the result an “incredible” achievement for Red Bull’s following its progression throughout the year.
The Dutchman has enjoyed a strong return to Sepang so far, racing at the circuit for the first time in nine years. Verstappen, who won the last race held at the track in 2017, topped FP1 before finishing fourth in FP2 and second in FP3, just 0.278s off Kimi Antonelli’s pace. He then returned to the top in qualifying, dominating Q1, Q2, and Q3 to set the fastest time of the weekend with a 1:35.130 and take his first pole since the 2025 finale in Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen: “I’m very happy to be on pole here”
Red Bull has endured a challenging 2026 season, with Verstappen currently P6 in the Drivers’ Standings with 163 points. However, Red Bull have shown improved form since Monza, with the four-time World Champion taking three consecutive podiums. He and teammate Isack Hadjar also secured a double podium with P2 and P3 at the Azerbaijan GP.
Reflecting on his 2026 F1 Malaysia pole during the post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen said:
“I think in general it’s been an incredible result for us looking at the season, how it started for us and the progression that we’ve made. At some tracks yeah we were kind of close, but now I think this weekend it was very positive for us. I think from FP1 we started quite well and from then onwards we’ve just been trying to improve the car further and it’s incredible. Honestly, I’m very happy to be on pole here.”
Verstappen will now aim to convert pole into his first win of the campaign. However, the Dutchman expects a demanding race at Sepang, with heat and tyre degredation playing a big role.
“It’s tough always around here. It’s very hot for ourselves, but for the cars, for the brakes, for the tyres. So yeah, the race is definitely going to be a tough one. I have to manage a lot and it’s impossible to know at the moment, of course, who can do that the best, but at the same time also there is a start where a lot of things can happen. So we just need to be aware, ready and then we’ll see how competitive we are in the race. But so far this weekend, yes, I’ve felt good. I felt confident and I hope we can show that again tomorrow.”
Red Bull’s improvements
Despite concerns over race pace, Verstappen remained confident in his qualifying approach, insisting he was “ready” for the 2026 F1 Malaysia race.
“I’m confident with what I did. If others make bigger sacrifices, then good luck to them, but I’m ready.”
Beyond Verstappen’s pole, Hadjar also showed strong pace, qualifying P3. Though the Frenchman will start Sunday’s race from P8 after exceeding the allocation limit for every PU component this season.
Asked what had helped bring the car to life at the Sepang International Circuit, Verstappen pointed to Red Bull’s improved understanding of the car following its recent Baku upgrades.
“I don’t know. I mean, it’s always very hard to say why that is, but I think for us anyway, the last few races we have probably understood the car a little bit better, but also the upgrades have pushed some of the weaknesses out of the car. I mean, there are, of course, always things that you still would like.
“But yeah, we have been adding bits to the car and they have worked. And as simple as that, when they work, you gain lap time, you have a better overall balance in the car.”
He continued: “So with tyres that are very sensitive to balance, that gives you also more lap time. And then on the track, probably, yeah, where it’s all very hot and you want a stable balance or connected balance, then yeah, that’s very important. And that’s, I think, what we have found a little bit more over the last weekends.”
A memorable pole
Despite the long-awaited P1, the four-time World Champion explained that it is difficult to rank it among his 49 career poles.
“Honestly, I don’t remember them all. But I mean, can you imagine I’m not remembering them. Lewis [Hamilton], do you remember them all? No, for sure not. You don’t remember your poles? They’re coming. They’re coming,” he jokingly began.
“No, it was good. But you know, it also sometimes depends a bit on the track. You know, sometimes it’s easier to do a clean lap when the track is probably a bit cooler. Around here, when it’s hot, it’s also very easy to overstep it or have a little moment and then you’re not very satisfied with it. So I find it sometimes it’s very hard to rank it because of track conditions as well. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. Like it’s only your first. That’s what I care about. And sometimes, yes, it’s a bit easier, a bit better than others. But it was good enough.”
However, when asked whether it was his biggest surprise pole, Verstappen quickly disagreed:
“No, no, no, for sure not. I’ve had some shocking poles. But I think from FP1 I could say, we might be in the running for it, but then you never know how the other teams are operating. So you have to just wait and see until you get into qualifying. And I mean, I was probably first in Q1 to entry. So then I think, yeah, there is a big opportunity to get it.”
