Max Verstappen makes Red Bull progress claim with ominous Malaysia warning
Max Verstappen hailed Red Bull's progress after taking pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Motorsport Bulls Watch
For Red Bull fans. Keeping watch on Red Bull Racing, with F1 news, driver updates, technical insight and race analysis from Milton Keynes.
Max Verstappen hasn't sat on pole since the 2025 Formula 1 season closed at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. So watching him place his car at the top of the time sheets today in Sepang for the Bahrain Grand Prix was a special moment for fans of the four-time champion. Following his performance, he hailed his team's improvements as he looks forward to Sunday's race.
Beating Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton by almost three-tenths, he handed Red Bull and its Ford power unit its first pole position of its partnership.
Isack Hadjar did his part, too. He rounded out the session with a third-place finish, although a five-place grid penalty now pushes him down to eighth. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli takes his place.
What Verstappen said about Red Bull's progress
Speaking in the press conference following the session, Verstappen was happy to start a tough race from the front.
“At some tracks, 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. Honestly, I'm very happy to be on pole here.
“It's tough always around here. It's very hot for ourselves, but for the cars, for the brakes, for the tyres. The race is definitely going to be a tough one. You 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 I've felt good, I've felt confident, and I hope we can show that again tomorrow.”
He's not worried about rivals' race pace
Asked whether he was concerned that competitors might have sacrificed their qualifying pace for a stronger pace on race day, the Dutchman shrugged off any worry.
"I'm confident in what I did. If others make bigger sacrifices, then good luck to them. But I'm ready," he finished. An ominous warning to the rest of the grid.
Share Or Save This Story
Lando Norris casts doubt on Singapore GP sprint excitement: "I don't think it is"
Nike could return to Formula 1 for first time since Michael Schumacher era
2026 Singapore Grand Prix: Guide to schedule, driver meet-ups, and race week parties
F1 Singapore GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Max Verstappen hints at change after Red Bull's poor F1 starts in Malaysia and Singapore
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
Isack Hadjar "pissed off" after mechanical problems strike at Singapore GP
“A better job” or more engine power? Verstappen’s Singapore pole analysed
The hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026
Marc Marquez: Indonesian GP results a “dream” at my “worst circuit”
Fermin Aldeguer set for surgery after fracturing hand at Mandalika
'I don't know how I did that,' says Raul Fernandez after ride to Indonesian GP podium with broken finger
Pedro Acosta: MotoGP tyre pressure rules make us look like “donkeys”
What we learned from the 2026 F1 Singapore GP sprint and qualifying
How Honda plans a return to being an F1 powerhouse
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
No denying it now – the one reason why F1’s ‘horrible’ start in Malaysia could be a good thing
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments