Max Verstappen puts Red Bull Racing in pole position for Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 in Sepang
Max Verstappen puts Red Bull Racing in pole position for Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 in Sepang
- Verstappen secures first pole of 2026 season after narrowly beating Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton
- Marco Manson edges pole-sitter Juste Mulder to win FTM season-opening race
- Axwell puts on spectacular show, setting tone for Martin Garrix post-race celebrations Sunday
- Full programme of off-track entertainment on race day Sunday
3 October 2026 – Max Verstappen bagged pole today for the historic Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 at Sepang International Circuit.
The Red Bull Racing superstar captured the leading grid position for Sunday’s 56-lap race after registering a best lap time of 1min 35.130secs during today’s Q3 session in qualifying. Verstappen was 0.298secs quicker than Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, who will be starting beside him on the front row.
Isack Hadjar in the other Red Bull Racing car qualified in third place 0.428s back, while Mercedes’s Kimi Antonelli was fourth 0.501s off the pace.
Fifth through 10th, respectively, in Q3 were Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (+0.536s), McLaren’s Lando Norris (+0.627s) and Oscar Piastri (+0.632s), Mercedes’ George Russell (+0.741s), Alpine’s Pierre Gasly (+2.080s), and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto (+2.543s).
Dropping out of the fight for pole in Q2 were Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Aloine’s Franco Colapinto, and Racing Bulls’s Arvid Lindblad.
In Q1, eliminated were Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg, Haas drivers Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, Williams’s Alexander Albon, and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
The F1 stage is now set for Sunday’s 56-lap grand prix, scheduled for a 3pm start local time/10am Bahrain time.
Earlier today in the third and final practice session of the weekend, Antonelli put Mercedes atop the timesheet with a fastest lap of 1:36.302, beating Verstappen by 0.278 seconds. Hadjar ranked third 0.558s adrift.
Fans attending Sunday’s race are advised to plan their trip to SIC carefully and arrive as early as possible to avoid peak traffic times. Gates are scheduled to open at 9am.
Before arriving at the circuit, race-goers are reminded to make sure they have their valid ticket for the event, as well as the correct pre-purchased parking pass to access the SIC vicinity. The parking pass is a must due to the limited parking available at the venue, and all vehicles without passes will not be permitted entry.
Alternatively, ticket and pass holders are encouraged to take the public shuttle services to get to SIC. These are available at Mitsui Outlet Park, KLIA Terminal 2, KLIA Long-Term Car Park, and De-Village @ Enstek. The public shuttles are available from 7am to 12midnight.
For those intending to travel by taxi or an e-hailing service, only public and Grab taxis, plus Limousine KLIA premier services, will be permitted entry to the venue and will be required to drop off their passengers only at the designated areas. For those leaving the circuit, taxis will be available from a designated taxi rank.
Also at the grand prix, internal shuttle buses will be operating during opening hours. They will run every minute within the SIC vicinity.
BIC advises race-goers to check the latest event information before travelling. This will be available on BIC and SIC social media channels.
Manson edges pole-sitter Mulder to win FTM season-opening race
Marco Manson triumphed today in race one of Formula Trophy Malaysia’s (FTM) season-opening round, held in support of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.
The Pinnacle Motorsport ace took the chequered flag after 11 laps in a time of 29:19.010, beating pole-sitter Juste Mulder of Evans GP by 1.130s. Mulder’s teammate Hoai Nam Anh Nguyen completed the podium 2.179s adrift.
FTM returns for the weekend’s second race on Sunday, scheduled for 11.45am local time.
Axwell puts on spectacular show, setting tone for Martin Garrix post-race celebrations Sunday
Grammy-nominated DJ and producer Axwell put on an incredible live performance this evening at SIC in the first of two mega concerts the F1 weekend.
Axwell’s spectacular performances set the tone for the weekend’s other concert on Sunday night, featuring multi-platinum-selling hit-maker Martin Garrix who will headline the post-race celebrations. His performance is scheduled for an 8.40pm start local time.
Those attending are advised to pick up their concert wristband from one of the collection points to be able to enter the designated concert venue.
Tickets are available exclusively to race-weekend ticket holders and are priced at US$100 per person. The Martin Garrix concert tickets can be purchased at bahraingp.com.
The superstar artist is one of the youngest and most successful DJs and producers in pop and electronic music, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry throughout his career including Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, U2, Bebe Rexha, Khalid, Macklemore, Avicii, and Madonna. Aside from F1, Martin Garrix has also performed at some of the world’s biggest events and festivals, including the Winter Olympics, Coachella, Lollapalooza, Ultra Music Festival, and Tomorrowland.
Full programme of off-track entertainment on race day Sunday
There is something for the whole family at the SIC fanzone on race day today at the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.
The colourful programme features live musical performances, stage shows, activations, and The Bahrain Village, organised by Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and showcasing the Kingdom’s rich cultural identity.
This has been put together in signature Bahrain style, offering visitors an immersive experience including traditional and cultural activities, live handicraft demonstrations, and a wide variety of authentic Bahraini food and beverages.
For more information on the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, visit bahraingp.com or call the BIC Hotline, or follow BIC and SIC on social media.
Images
