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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Philip Duncan

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on intriguing front row as F1 returns to Malaysia

Max Verstappen took his first pole of the season and will start alongside Lewis Hamilton on Sunday - (Getty)

Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the season for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix – as George Russell’s outside title hopes were dealt a significant blow after he qualified only eighth.

Verstappen delivered an emphatic lap on F1’s return to Malaysia – with Sunday’s rearranged Bahrain round taking place at the Sepang International Circuit because of the conflict in the Middle East – to take his first pole since the concluding round in Abu Dhabi last December.

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