Verstappen fires warning ahead of Bahrain GP: 'Good luck to them, but I'm ready'
Photo: Race Pictures
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Max Verstappen is confident he can secure victory at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, after achieving his first Pole Position of the 2026 season. Praising the progress Red Bull have made in recent months, Verstappen has also sent an ominous warning to the rest of the grid, with long-time rival Lewis Hamilton lining up with him on the front row in Sepang.
After an impressive last lap in Q3, beating Hamilton by almost three tenths, Verstappen has delivered not only the first non-Mercedes powered Pole Position of the season, but Red Bull's first since in their new power unit partnership with Ford.
Despite anticipating a tough race in Sepang, Verstappen has praised Red Bull's progression over recent months, with the 29-year-old looking more competitive particularly since F1's return from the summer break in August.
Speaking to media, including GPblog, Verstappen said: "It’s been an incredible result for us. Looking at the season, how it started for us and the progression that we have made.
"At some tracks we were kind of close, but now I think this weekend it was very positive for us. I think from FP1 we started quite well and from then onwards we’ve just been trying to improve the car further. It’s incredible, honestly. I’m very happy to be on pole here."
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Verstappen wishes 'good luck' to Bahrain GP rivals
Photo: Race Pictures
Asked on the challenges he will face during Sunday's Grand Prix, Verstappen highlighted the searing heat in Sepang, with track temperatures having already reached 60°C during the weekend - giving drivers a headache with regard to tyre degradation. The Dutchman, however, remains confident he can convert his Pole into victory.
“It's tough always around here," Verstappen added. "It's very hot for ourselves, but for the cars, for the brakes, for the tyres. The race is definitely going to be a tough one. You have to manage a lot, and it's impossible to know at the moment, of course, who can do that the best.
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“But at the same time, also, there is a start where a lot of things can happen. So we just need to be aware, ready, and then we'll see how competitive we are in the race. But so far this weekend I've felt good, I've felt confident, and I hope we can show that again tomorrow.”
In a warning to his rivals, the four-time world champion later dismissed the suggestion that other teams had sacrificed their Qualifying pace and opted for a more optimal race setup, with Verstappen wishing a sarcastic 'good luck' to his competitors, and expressing further confidence in Red Bull's choices this weekend.
"Personally, I’m confident with what I did. If others make bigger sacrifices, then good luck to them, but I’m ready," said the Bahrain GP pole-sittter.
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