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How Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton turned the tables on exposed Mercedes

So how did Max Verstappen achieve his first pole of the season? Our technical expert, Paolo Filisetti, casts his eye over the details.

By Paolo Filisetti · Racing News 365

Published: Saturday, 3 October 2026 at 5:25 PM

Key Things to Know

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton qualified first and second as Mercedes missed the top three on the timesheet.
Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell initially qualified fourth and eighth respectively.
Isack Hadjar received a five-place grid penalty for an internal combustion engine change on his RB22.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Max Verstappen took pole position for Red Bull at the Sepang International Circuit, finishing ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in qualifying. The result marked the first weekend of the season where Mercedes failed to place a car in the top three on the timesheet, with Kimi Antonelli fourth and George Russell eighth before grid penalties were applied.

Paolo Filisetti notes that refined car balance and track experience aided Verstappen and Hamilton, while Mercedes struggled after introducing a major seven-part upgrade package.

Read the full article on Racing News 365

How Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton turned the tables on exposed Mercedes

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