Starting Grid For F1’s Bahrain GP In Malaysia After Penalties
Max Verstappen claimed Red Bull's first pole position of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Here's the full starting grid with penalties applied.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - October 3: Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull Racing secured pole position for the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain in Malaysia at Sepang Circuit on October 3, 2026. Verstappen set a final lap time of 1:35.130s, taking the top spot away from Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds. This marks the first-ever pole for Red Bull Ford Powertrains and the first pole for a non-Mercedes engine this season.
Verstappen previously won at Sepang in 2017, during his second career victory. Three-time world champion Hamilton will start the race from eighth place after receiving a five-place grid penalty for exceeding power unit component allocations. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, currently leading the championship, moves up to third place, while Charles Leclerc's Ferrari takes fourth place ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in fifth and sixth respectively.
George Russell, who won the previous round in Baku, will need to battle his way up from seventh after receiving a five-place grid penalty. Pierre Gasly's Alpine will start in ninth, with Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi rounding out the top ten for the team. The Bahrain Grand Prix begins at 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, October 4.
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