The former weakness key to Red Bull's sudden supremacy

Max Verstappen secured pole position at Sepang for Red Bull, his first pole since the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix title decider, topping all three qualifying segments on October 3, 2026. Teammate Isack Hadjar also impressed by finishing third on the grid, underscoring the RB22's improved pace. Telemetry data suggests Red Bull has addressed previous weaknesses in high-speed and medium-speed corners while also demonstrating strong straight-line speed, pointing to a significant shift in Formula 1's competitive order.