Verstappen takes first pole position of the year

SEPANG, Malaysia (AP):

Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on a rare off day for Mercedes and Formula One standings leader Kimi Antonelli.

Verstappen was quickest by 0.298 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar was a further 0.130 seconds back in third.

The result represents a significant step toward Verstappen’s goal of avoiding a first winless season since his rookie campaign in 2015.

It was an “incredible result for us looking at the season,” Verstappen said. “I felt good, felt confident, and I hope we can show that again tomorrow.”

Verstappen won the last Formula One race held at the Sepang circuit in 2017. His pole is also the first this season for a car powered by a non-Mercedes engine after Mercedes, McLaren and Alpine, all Mercedes-powered teams, topped every qualifying session until now.

Antonelli qualified fourth, while his Mercedes teammate and closest title rival, George Russell, was only eighth. Both are set to gain a position on the grid for today’s race after Hadjar received a five-place penalty for exceeding his season engine allocation.

Hamilton’s second-place effort came as welcome relief for the seven-time world champion amid a disappointing run of results at Ferrari, which has dismissed speculation surrounding team principal Fred Vasseur’s future.

“Let’s go guys, let’s go. Finally,” Hamilton said over the team radio.

Russell blames tyre trouble

Russell’s low qualifying position was another setback in his bid to trim Antonelli’s 66-point lead in the championship, with tyre issues playing a significant role.

Heavy demands on tyres

The Sepang circuit’s abrasive surface places heavy demands on tyres and can cause them to overheat. That made it even more difficult for teams to find the ideal set-up for qualifying without sacrificing race pace for today’s event.

“It’s a very demanding circuit on the tyres, the tarmac is all broke up, it’s extremely rough, it’s so hot out there and the tyres are going through hell,” Russell told broadcaster Sky Sports. “For whatever reason, it seems to be affecting us far more than others.”

Malaysia’s weather remained dry throughout Saturday’s sessions despite forecasts earlier in the week predicting heavy rainfall.

Formula One is racing at Sepang for the first time since 2017.