{
  "id": 11667883,
  "title": "Verstappen ends pole drought with Bahrain GP qualifying win in Sepang",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/verstappen-ends-pole-drought-with-bahrain-gp-qualifying-win-in-sepang",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T10:50:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/10/03/verstappen-ends-pole-drought-with-bahrain-gp-qualifying-win-in-sepang/237571"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SEPANG, Oct 3 — Four-time world champion Max Verstappen secured his maiden pole position of the 2026 Formula One season on Saturday as he topped the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The 29-year-old Dutch driver, currently sixth in the championship standings, posted a best lap time of 1 minute 35.130 seconds in the final minute of the session held amidst high temperatures at the Sepang International Circuit. Verstappen edged out seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds. Isack Hadjar secured third place for Red Bull, but will be dropped five positions on the starting grid due to a penalty for installing new engine components beyond the allowed limit. Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes topped the standings, closely followed by Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari, Lando Norris of McLaren, and Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren. George Russell of Mercedes, Pierre Gasly from Alpine, and Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi rounded out the top ten. This marks the first time Verstappen has started at the front of the grid since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last season.",
  "summary": "SEPANG, Oct 3 — Four-time world champion Max Verstappen continued his dominant form for Red Bull by claiming his f...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "‘It’s happening in Malaysia’: Bahrain GP switch surprised race chief",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/its-happening-in-malaysia-bahrain-gp-switch-surprised-race-chief",
        "published": "2026-10-03T08:09:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Verstappen claims first pole of season at Bahrain GP in Malaysia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/verstappen-claims-first-pole-of-season-at-bahrain-gp-in-malaysia",
        "published": "2026-10-03T09:12:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Verstappen claims first pole of season at Bahrain GP in Malaysia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/verstappen-claims-first-pole-of-season-at-bahrain-gp-in-malaysia-11651983",
        "published": "2026-10-03T09:19:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Red Bull’s Verstappen grabs pole position for Bahrain GP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/red-bulls-verstappen-grabs-pole-position-for-bahrain-gp",
        "published": "2026-10-03T09:52:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Red Bull’s Verstappen grabs pole position for Bahrain GP in Malaysia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/red-bulls-verstappen-grabs-pole-position-for-bahrain-gp-in-malaysia",
        "published": "2026-10-03T10:03:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Red Bull’s Verstappen grabs pole position for Bahrain GP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/red-bulls-verstappen-grabs-pole-position-for-bahrain-gp-11665180",
        "published": "2026-10-03T10:04:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Anwar visits Sepang for F1 GP qualifying round, attends welcome dinner hosted by Bahrain crown prince",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/anwar-visits-sepang-for-f1-gp-qualifying-round-attends-welcome-dinner",
        "published": "2026-10-03T12:27:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}