Sepang expert Max Verstappen (1st) warns: “It’s always tough here!”

In the history books of the Sepang International Circuit, one name stands out in huge letters on the very last page of the Formula 1 chapter: Max Verstappen. The Dutchman won here nine years ago in what was, until now, the last World Championship race in Malaysia. This year, Formula 1 is returning to Sepang – for the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix. And in ‘Pole Position’, Max Verstappen has once again put his name down for 2026 with a fabulous lap today. It is the first pole of the year for the Dutchman and his Red Bull Racing team. And the first ever with a Red Bull-Ford engine.

Verstappen praises progress

Verstappen said after qualifying: “I think, overall, it was an incredible result for us. When you look at the season, how it started for us and the progress we’ve made. We were already quite close on some circuits, but in my opinion this weekend has been very positive for us.” His team-mate Isack Hadjar qualified third but will start from eighth on the grid due to an engine change.

“It’s honestly incredible”

Red Bull Racing made a good impression right from the start of the weekend. Verstappen: “We got off to a good start in the first free practice session and from then on simply tried to improve the car further. To be honest, it’s incredible. I’m really delighted to be on pole here.”

The now four-time world champion knows the Sepang circuit well. He won the last race here in October 2017. At the time, it was the second victory of his still-young career. Many more have followed – and could there be another one tomorrow in the Grand Prix?

Verstappen points out: “It’s always tough here. It’s very hot – for us, but also for the cars, the brakes and the tyres. The race is definitely going to be a tough one. You have to juggle a lot of things, and of course it’s impossible to say at the moment who’ll manage it best. At the same time, there’s the start, where a lot can happen. So we simply have to be alert and ready, and then we’ll see how competitive we are in the race. But so far this weekend I’ve felt good, I’ve been confident, and I hope we can show that again tomorrow.”

Topic of the week

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