Verstappen Secures Pole as Red Bull’s Resurgence Takes Shape in Malaysia

Even Lewis Hamilton, starting from his equal best grid position of the year in second place, expects Max Verstappen will be tough to beat in Sunday’s race.

Verstappen has dominated throughout the weekend on Formula 1’s return to Sepang for the first time since 2017.

Hamilton joins him on the front row, reviving memories of their intense title battle from five years ago.

But at nearly 0.3 seconds slower in qualifying, and given the pace Verstappen has demonstrated all weekend, Hamilton’s approach on Saturday was to “just try my best to hold on to him tomorrow”.

This represents Verstappen’s first pole position of the year—a remarkable achievement for someone who narrowly missed winning a fifth world title last season after one of motorsport’s greatest comebacks.

Red Bull began the season off the pace—the car averaged more than 0.5 seconds per lap slower than Mercedes in the first half—and for a period there were questions about whether Verstappen would remain with the team through 2027.

However, after being pursued by McLaren, Verstappen signed a two-year contract extension during the summer break, stating his belief in the Red Bull project and willingness to put in the work to reverse their fortunes.

Verstappen arrived in Malaysia following three consecutive podium finishes, with Red Bull hoping to validate an upgrade that saw them finish less than 0.2 seconds off victory in Baku the previous Sunday.

In Malaysia’s tropical heat, navigating the demanding long corners of a track with perhaps the roughest surface of the season, the upgrade—centered on a new floor—has more than proven its value.

“It’s been an incredible result for us,” Verstappen said. “Looking at the season, how it started for us and the progression we’ve made. At some tracks we were close, but now I think this weekend it was very positive for us.”

“We’ve been adding components to the car and they’ve worked. It’s simple as that. When they work, you gain lap time and achieve better overall balance.”

“So with tyres that are very sensitive to balance, that gives you additional lap time.”

“And on a track where it’s extremely hot and you need a stable, connected balance, that’s crucial. That’s what we’ve found more of over the recent weekends.”

Teammate Isack Hadjar, who missed the first three races after the summer break with a wrist fracture sustained during boxing training, says the car felt transformed when he returned in Baku last weekend.

“I jumped into a car that’s far better than when I left it in Budapest,” said the Frenchman, who qualified third but will start eighth after receiving a grid penalty for exceeding his permitted engine component allocation.

“Definitely, when you step away for three races and return, you notice a significant difference. The last two weekends have been surprising.”

A well-balanced car should position Verstappen advantageously for a race expected to be dominated by tyre degradation in the stifling heat, regardless of whether the threatened rain materializes.

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