Sepang:Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Verstappen, a four-time world champion, achieved the fastest lap with a time of 1 minute 35.130 seconds under favorable weather conditions. His performance places him in a strong position to continue his success at the Sepang track, where he last won in 2017.

Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari will join Verstappen on the front row after recording a time of 135.428 seconds. Verstappen's teammate, Isack Hadjar, secured third place with a time of 135.558 seconds.

Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, currently leading the drivers' championship, will start fourth, clocking in at 135.631 seconds. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari qualified fifth with a time of 135.666 seconds.

McLaren's reigning world champion, Lando Norris, took the sixth spot with a time of 135.757 seconds, followed closely by teammate Oscar Piastri, who qualified seventh with 135.762 seconds.

George Russell of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team faced challenges, qualifying eighth with a time of 135.871 seconds. Pierre Gasly of Alpine and Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi completed the top ten with times of 136.410 seconds and 136.814 seconds, respectively.

The Bahrain GP in Malaysia 2026 is scheduled to commence at 3 pm tomorrow. Earlier this year, Formula 1 announced Malaysia as the host for the Bahrain GP from October 2 to 4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the FIA, and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain. This agreement ensures the continuation of the Bahrain GP on the 2026 F1 calendar, despite its earlier cancellation due to geopolitical tensions. Malaysia had previously hosted the Malaysian GP at Sepang from 1999 to 2017.