Winners and losers from F1 practice day in Malaysia

The first practice day at Sepang revealed significant shifts in team performances, with Mercedes struggling to adapt to the circuit despite a new upgrade package. Charles Leclerc emerged as a standout performer, taking first place in qualifying simulations, while Aston Martin showed improvement with Fernando Alonso finishing 15th.

McLaren also made a strong comeback, placing 3rd and 6th, while Sergio Perez faced challenges, finishing at the bottom of the timesheets. The practice sessions hinted at a competitive race ahead, with various teams adjusting to the unique demands of the Sepang circuit.