Red Bull Upgrade Revives F1 Malaysian GP Success
Max Verstappen secures his first pole position of 2026 at Sepang, Malaysia, with Lewis Hamilton joining him on the front row.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Max Verstappen claims his first pole position of 2026 at Sepang
- Red Bull floor upgrade dramatically transforms car performance
- Lewis Hamilton lines up alongside his former title rival on front row
Formula 1 returned to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for the first time since 2017, delivering immediate drama as Red Bull driver Max Verstappen clinched his first pole position of the season. He will share the front row with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, reviving memories of their fierce championship battle from five years ago.
This pole position marks a remarkable statistic for Verstappen, who narrowly missed out on a fifth world title last year. During the first half of the previous season, Red Bull's car lagged behind Mercedes by an average of over 0.5 seconds per lap, sparking doubts about his future before he signed a two-year contract extension over the summer break.
Red Bull's turnaround was driven by a crucial aerodynamic upgrade, centered on a new floor design, which proved its worth in the tropical heat and demanding rough surface of the Sepang track. This followed a strong showing in Baku last weekend where they finished within 0.2 seconds of victory.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"We have been adding bits to the car and they have worked. It's simple as that. When they work, you gain lap time, you have a better overall balance in the car."
Max VerstappenTeam-mate Isack Hadjar, who missed three races following the summer break due to a wrist injury sustained while boxing in training, admitted the car felt completely transformed upon his return last weekend in Baku, noting that the progress over the last two weekends has been a surprise.
Mid-season car developments in Formula 1 are critical gambles, particularly under strict aerodynamic regulations. Red Bull's ability to successfully diagnose and rectify balance and floor issues highlights the strength of their engineering department, allowing them to bridge the performance gap on a notoriously abrasive and hot circuit.
Meanwhile, Mercedes faced mixed fortunes. While Lewis Hamilton maximized his package to secure second on the grid, championship leader Kimi Antonelli suffered minor setbacks in qualifying due to a combination of tyre strategy and an early driver error, though he starts third following grid penalties and eyes an aggressive undercut strategy.
Source:
BBC Sport
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