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”.

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

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

Lewis Hamilton, who qualified second, said the heat and rapidly overheating tyres could make the race difficult to manage.