Verstappen takes Sepang pole ahead of Hamilton
Max Verstappen qualified ahead of Lewis Hamilton at Sepang, putting the pair in that order at the front of qualifying for the first time since Abu Dhabi in 2021.
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Max Verstappen qualified ahead of Lewis Hamilton at Sepang, putting the pair in that order at the front of qualifying for the first time since Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Isack Hadjar is set to start eighth at Sepang despite qualifying third. He believes he can recover from a five-place grid penalty.
After Verstappen’s pole, Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies credited recent development but warned that race pace and tyre wear remain Sunday’s test.
Kimi Antonelli led final practice at Sepang ahead of Max Verstappen, giving Mercedes an encouraging result before qualifying, though team-mate George Russell was fourth.
Red Bull’s team principal says a future need to make difficult calls between Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar would be a sign of strength.
Isack Hadjar believes Red Bull can fight at the front this weekend, though he is still unhappy with his car’s balance.
A Red Bull mechanic appeared to signal Isack to move off as Charles Leclerc passed behind him in Malaysia, RacingNews365 reports.
Both Red Bull drivers see the remaining 2026 races as a chance to learn, while Verstappen says the car and power unit need a much bigger step for 2027.
An FIA report lists power-unit allocation breaches for Hadjar, Lindblad and Colapinto ahead of the Formula 1 event in Malaysia.
Isack Hadjar believes Max Verstappen’s experience in Malaysia could offer Red Bull a small advantage, while tyre management shapes his preparations.
Isack Hadjar says he will take his first race weekend at Sepang step by step, despite Red Bull’s double podium in Azerbaijan.
Isack Hadjar expects a five-place grid penalty for his next race and says Red Bull’s race pace will determine his chances of recovering.
Isack Hadjar has explained the gym accident behind the wrist fracture that cost him three Grands Prix in 2026.
After Isack Hadjar’s podium return in Baku, former team principal Giancarlo Minardi says he could challenge Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
Max Verstappen rose from eighth to second in Azerbaijan, with Isack Hadjar third. Red Bull’s team principal pointed to power-unit management and car improvements.
Isack Hadjar finished third on his return from injury in Azerbaijan, but his response to a team radio call particularly impressed Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies.
Oscar Piastri lost third place after a Turn 1 lock-up in Azerbaijan and finished without points. He is still trying to understand what caused it.
Isack Hadjar has kept third place at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix after receiving a warning, rather than a penalty, for a pre-race pit-exit infringement.
Isack Hadjar has been summoned by the Azerbaijan Grand Prix stewards over an alleged practice-start infringement after finishing third in the provisional race classification.
Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar had to end their first free practice session in Baku early because of technical problems, RacingNews365 reports. Antonelli reported a hydraulic failure; Hadjar experienced several problems with his car.
Max Verstappen believes Isack Hadjar has earned his contract extension at Red Bull. According to RacingNews365, the Frenchman will remain his team-mate in 2027 and is set to return after a wrist injury.
According to RacingNews365, Isack Hadjar is returning in Baku after missing three Grands Prix. The Red Bull driver is still in pain from a fractured wrist, but a successful simulator test gives him confidence ahead of his comeback.
According to Arvid Lindblad, Isack Hadjar stands out because he has performed comfortably at Red Bull from the outset. The Racing Bulls driver believes Hadjar has thereby earned early certainty over his contract for 2027.
Isack Hadjar will remain Max Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull in 2027. The contract extension comes shortly before his planned return in Azerbaijan, after he missed three races with a wrist injury.