Red Bull in strong form leads Malaysian qualifying as Verstappen sweeps aside rivals aiming for first win
The promising trajectory of Red Bull’s Malaysia weekend was evident from practice sessions. The RB22 emerged as the car most prepared on track.
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Meanwhile, Mercedes struggled with a new upgrade package that unsettled the W17. Conversely, Red Bull found the perfect setup for this circuit.
The numerous straights and fast corners favored the RB22, thanks to its highly efficient power unit.
Notably, Red Bull introduced a significant upgrade package in the previous round at Baku, which likely contributed to the car’s improved performance.
After qualifying, pole-sitter Max Verstappen commented on the achievement:
“It’s fantastic. We’ve tried to get pole at many Grands Prix. Sometimes we were closer, other times less. Finally, we secured it for the first time this season. It’s incredible.”
Tyre degradation could shake up race dynamics
A key topic this weekend is tyre degradation. Formula 1 returns to Malaysia after ten years and faces unique asphalt and weather conditions.
The surface is highly abrasive, making tyre management critical. This stands in contrast to recent events where tyre wear was minimal.
For Red Bull, this represents the first real chance to win a Grand Prix in 2026, a season that started poorly.
“I’m very happy with today. I will definitely try to win tomorrow. Starting from pole, that is the goal,” said Verstappen.
The RB22 showed promising signs both in qualifying and race pace, suggesting the first win of the season is possible.
Behind Verstappen are Hamilton and Antonelli. Their race pace is still uncertain. However, many variables could make for an exciting race.
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