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Verstappen & Hamilton Share Wholesome F1 Moment
3 Oct
Summary
- Verstappen took pole at Sepang, his first non-Mercedes-powered pole.
- Hamilton qualified second for Ferrari, his fifth consecutive front-row start.
- Fans praised the drivers' warm congratulatory moment on social media.
Max Verstappen captured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, achieving the first non-Mercedes-powered pole of the 2026 season. Lewis Hamilton will start alongside him in second place for Ferrari, his fifth consecutive front-row start at this venue.
Following qualifying, a "wholesome" moment between the two drivers, who have a historically contentious relationship, saw them warmly congratulating each other in parc ferme. This display of mutual respect resonated widely on social media platforms like Reddit, with fans drawing comparisons to past interactions and appreciating the sportsmanship.
Looking ahead to the race, Hamilton identified tyre degradation as a key challenge. He acknowledged Verstappen's strong long-run pace with the upgraded Red Bull, anticipating a "completely different ballgame" on race day. Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his car's balance but anticipates a tough challenge in managing the tyres effectively throughout the race.
