Verstappen targets first win of season after Sepang pole

Lewis Hamilton qualified second at Sepang with a lap of 1:35.428, finishing 0.298 seconds behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen. Hamilton said Ferrari had made numerous changes during practice and that one final adjustment before qualifying brought the car into what he called its “sweet spot”. [1]

Hamilton said the heat, sliding cars and overheating tyres had made it difficult to find a satisfactory balance during practice. [1]

Update

Max Verstappen topped all three qualifying sessions at Sepang and took pole with a lap of 1:35.130, finishing 0.298 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton. [2]

The change behind them comes from a five-place grid penalty for Isack Hadjar. BBC Sport reports that the penalty will promote Kimi Antonelli to third on the starting grid. [2]

Hadjar was third-fastest in qualifying, with Antonelli fourth, 0.501 seconds off Verstappen’s pole lap. Their qualifying positions will therefore differ from their starting positions. [2]

Update

After taking his first Formula 1 pole position of the season at Sepang, Verstappen said he had yet to win a race this year and would try to change that the following day. Starting from pole, he said, made victory his goal. [3]

Speaking later to Viaplay, the Red Bull driver said he finally had a car capable of winning. He credited improvements to its balance over the season, while allowing that the Sepang circuit might also suit it better. [3]