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Red Bull's Verstappen Secures First Pole of Season in Malaysia
Confirmed
In Short: Max Verstappen secured his first pole position of the season at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar starting third and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in second.
Max Verstappen secured his first pole position of the season at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar starting third and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in second.
Verstappen's achievement marks the first non-Mercedes-powered pole of the season and the first for Red Bull since the Abu Dhabi race last year.
Red Bull's performance turnaround is attributed to a significant upgrade, particularly a new floor design, which has seen the team close the gap to Mercedes.
Verstappen's success comes after a period of uncertainty for Red Bull, with the team struggling in the first half of the year and Verstappen signing a two-year contract extension over the summer.
The upgrade proved effective in Malaysia's tropical heat and around the demanding long corners of the track, which has one of the roughest surfaces of the season.
Verstappen, who last won in Malaysia in 2017, described his pole position as 'pretty incredible' and highlighted the team's progress since the summer break.
What this adds
Red Bull's upgrade has significantly improved their performance, closing the gap to Mercedes and securing Verstappen's first pole of the season.
What's confirmed
- Max Verstappen secured his first pole position of the season at the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar starting third and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari in second.
- Verstappen's achievement marks the first non-Mercedes-powered pole of the season and the first for Red Bull since the Abu Dhabi race last year.
- Red Bull's performance turnaround is attributed to a significant upgrade, particularly a new floor design, which has seen the team close the gap to Mercedes.
- Verstappen's success comes after a period of uncertainty for Red Bull, with the team struggling in the first half of the year and Verstappen signing a two-year contract extension over the summer.
- The upgrade proved effective in Malaysia's tropical heat and around the demanding long corners of the track, which has one of the roughest surfaces of the season.
- Verstappen, who last won in Malaysia in 2017, described his pole position as 'pretty incredible' and highlighted the team's progress since the summer break.
What's still developing
- Verstappen was the last driver to win a Grand Prix in Malaysia in 2017 in what was his second career victory before the race was taken off the calendar after the government said it could not justify the costs.
- Red Bull started the year off the pace - the car was on average more than 0.5secs a lap slower than Mercedes in the first half of the year - and for a time there were questions as to whether Verstappen would stick around for 2027.
- But after being courted by McLaren, Verstappen signed a two-year contract extension over the summer break, saying he believed in the Red Bull project and didn't mind putting in the work to turn things around.
- Verstappen arrived in Malaysia after a run of three consecutive podium finishes, and with Red Bull hoping to prove out an upgrade that had seen them finish less than 0.2secs off victory in Baku last Sunday.