F1 Bahrain GP: Drivers and Teams React To Qualifying in Sepang

Max Verstappen stormed through Saturday, setting the fastest time in all three qualifying sessions at the 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Red Bull driver's exploits also earned him his first pole position of the season, and he has a strong chance of taking his first 2026 victory on Sunday. 

Let's look at what Verstappen and the other teams have to say about their respective qualifying performances.

Verstappen confirmed Red Bull's quick pace this weekend and achieved his first pole of the season. He will have the golden opportunity to also secure his first win of the season, especially with the Mercedes car struggling in qualifying.

The four-time World Champion, who will also race in this year's GT World Challenge, was very ecstatic on Saturday.

Verstappen: "It's fantastic. We've been trying for many Grands Prix to get more, sometimes a bit closer to the others. But to finally get it from where we started the season, it's pretty incredible." 

Lewis Hamilton was very happy with his P2 finish in qualifying, as he finds himself in the front row with Verstappen. The seven-time World Champion's emotions were very understandable, especially with his recent struggles.

The Ferrari driver has only scored a combined 16 points in the last three races, which included a DNF at the Spanish Grand Prix. Hamilton is itching for a bounce-back, and he has the opportunity in tomorrow's race.

Hamilton: "We made so many changes through all these practice sessions because the cars are sliding, and these tyres are overheating. It was really, really hard to find a good balance. We made one last change going into qualifying, and I think we hit the sweet spot."

After a perfect weekend in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, George Russell couldn't find the pace in Sepang. He could only settle for P8 in Q3, although he will be bumped up to P7 after the grid penalty to Isack Hadjar has been applied. 

It was a disappointing result for Mercedes, especially with the upgrades they brought this weekend. Naturally, Russell was left searching for answers.

Russell: "It's the most demanding circuit on the tyres, so we don't know exactly why we didn't have the pace. I think from Friday it was clear we weren't on the pace of the Red Bulls and then throughout the course of this weekend we just haven't really progressed."

The McLarens were also a disappointment on Saturday's qualifying, with Lando Norris settling for P6, and Oscar Piastri in P7. The Hadjar penalty will bump them to P5 and P6, respectively.

Norris, the reigning World Champion, actually thought that he had a strong lap in Q3. However, he said that the MCL46 just didn't have enough speed on the straights.

Norris: "I felt like my lap was very strong. It's tough. I'm happy because I'm still struggling a lot in the straights everywhere. I'm just down on every single straight, so every time I get a good exit, I'm just slower at the end of the straight."

Lance Stroll snapped his streak of Q1 exits in Sepang, as he's starting tomorrow's race from 14th place. It also marks the first time that both Aston Martin cars advanced to Q2 this season, with Fernando Alonso settling for P12 in the second session.

Stroll said that the Sepang International Circuit actually suits their car. 

Stroll: "It's our most competitive event of the season so far. So fewer straights, more corners suit us. I couldn't really push much. I mean, the conditions were really tricky. It felt difficult. This track suits us. We knew coming into it."

Sadly for Liam Lawson, the Racing Bulls' pace unraveled in qualifying. He was given a tow by teammate Arvid Lindblad (who has a hefty grid penalty tomorrow), but the Kiwi driver couldn't get past Q2. Lawson will start at P11 tomorrow, and he has to make up places so as not to lose more points to Alpine, their closest midfield rival.

Lawson: "After a comfortable FP3 this morning, it felt like quite a frustrating qualifying. The car had been competitive so far this weekend, so we'll be reviewing where we lost so much pace. We struggled more with tyres during this session, so management tomorrow is going to be key with the high track temperatures."

It's a classic Verstappen-Hamilton front row tomorrow, so expect some fireworks in the opening lap. Hamilton needs to get an overtake done early, as there's no assurance that his Ferrari can hold off Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes from behind. 

Hamilton's opening stint on Sunday could dictate his podium chances in Sepang.