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via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton seeking Ferrari 'compromise' after tricky F1 discoveryLewis Hamilton is looking for the right balance in his Ferrari after a challenging return to the Sepang circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix. He finished fifth in the second practice session, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was 0.305 seconds faster, and faced difficulties with the track's abrasive surface affecting grip and tyre management.
Hamilton noted that the day was overall challenging, with limited grip available on track. He mentioned that the team explored various set-up directions and is now focused on analysing data to find the best compromise ahead of qualifying. Despite the struggles, Hamilton believes they are not far off the pace and acknowledges that there is still work to be done.
Fri 2 Oct · 17:20 UTC
via gpfans.comThe bizarre reason F1 star George Russell will race in a 60C ‘oven’ at Bahrain Grand PrixGeorge Russell will compete in the Bahrain Grand Prix without a cooling vest, facing extreme temperatures expected to reach 60C inside his Mercedes cockpit. This decision comes as Mercedes reallocates resources due to the constraints of Formula 1's cost cap regulations, which limit team spending to $215 million in 2026.
Russell highlighted the challenges of racing in such heat, recalling his previous experience of dehydration during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. He believes that the development of cooling vests should be exempt from the budget cap, arguing that all drivers should have access to this technology to ensure their safety and performance.
Fri 2 Oct · 16:45 UTC
via RacingNews365FIA alters Sepang track after driver safety concernsThe FIA has made significant changes to the Sepang International Circuit following safety concerns raised by Formula 1 drivers during practice sessions. Charles Leclerc and others highlighted issues with the track's degrading surface, prompting the adjustments.+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 16:40 UTC
via f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli leads Mercedes in final practice at SepangKimi Antonelli topped the final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, marking a significant turnaround for Mercedes after a challenging Friday. The performance highlighted the team's potential following recent upgrades and provided valuable data for their race strategy.
+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 16:00 UTC
via racer.comBahrain Grand Prix takes place in Malaysia this seasonThe Bahrain Grand Prix is being held in Malaysia this season due to a relocation of a previously planned event. This unusual situation has caused confusion among statisticians as the race retains the same name despite the change in venue.
Fri 2 Oct · 15:29 UTC
via theguardian.comKimi Antonelli tops FP3 at Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaKimi Antonelli topped the final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, recovering from a challenging Friday for Mercedes. His performance alleviated concerns regarding the team's upgraded W17 car, although team-mate George Russell was six tenths slower.
+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 15:22 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris just did something ‘no one else’ could at the Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaDuring the second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Lando Norris achieved P3, showcasing a significant improvement from his earlier performance. Despite not having the fastest overall pace, Norris demonstrated the best long-run pace, which is crucial for the race strategy given the unique conditions of the Sepang track.
Norris' lap time of 1'44"727 was unmatched by his competitors, who all fell into the 1m 45s range. This performance, combined with McLaren's usual Friday pace and good tyre degradation, positions Norris as a strong contender for a podium finish in the upcoming race.Fri 2 Oct · 15:00 UTC
via f1technical.netFerrari expect rivals to "up their game" for Saturday after strong Sepang practice dayFerrari enjoyed a productive opening day of running at the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc topping FP2 while Lewis Hamilton finished fifth as the field began to close up at the front.
Fri 2 Oct · 14:00 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell voices weakened Mercedes upgrade fear after ominous signsGeorge Russell has expressed concerns that Mercedes' latest aerodynamic upgrade is being compromised by extreme tyre overheating at the Sepang International Circuit during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite being second fastest in the first practice session, Russell's performance dropped to seventh in the second session, highlighting the difficulties faced by the W17 car under the unique conditions of the track.
The team brought significant upgrades, including a reworked floor and diffuser, but have struggled to achieve the expected performance gains. Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin noted that the team is facing challenges with tyre wear and balance, which have hindered their ability to extract the anticipated improvements from the new components. They are optimistic about making progress with setup changes and data analysis ahead of the race weekend.Fri 2 Oct · 13:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari add ‘striking’ secret upgrade to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s SF-26 at SepangFerrari had a strong start to the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Malaysia, with Charles Leclerc leading the second practice session. Leclerc's lap time of 1:37.528 placed him ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth. The team introduced minor upgrades, including vortex generators on the SF-26, to improve aerodynamics and downforce.
The Bahrain Grand Prix is being held in Malaysia due to the situation in the Middle East, marking a return of the Sepang circuit to the Formula 1 calendar after a hiatus since 2017. Ferrari is expected to roll out more significant upgrades at the upcoming United States Grand Prix, as they prepare for the remainder of the season.Fri 2 Oct · 13:00 UTC
via CrashValtteri Bottas clarifies tax comments on ItalyValtteri Bottas has clarified his earlier remarks regarding tax obligations for Formula 1 drivers racing in Italy, stating that they have 'no problem' paying taxes. His comments come in response to warnings from Italian tax authorities targeting F1 drivers.
+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 12:55 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 drivers risk harsh penalty for just running wide at Bahrain Grand PrixFormula 1 drivers competing in the Bahrain Grand Prix are at risk of severe penalties if they run wide at the final corner of the track. This corner, which follows a high-speed straight, requires drivers to slow down significantly to navigate the tight left turn. If a driver crosses the solid white line at the pit entry while attempting to rejoin the track, they will be forced to enter the pit lane, leading to potential penalties.
During practice sessions, some drivers have already received warnings for running wide, indicating that this could be a significant issue during the race. The regulations state that any driver who crosses the safety car line at pit entry will be considered as entering the pit lane, which could result in an effective drive-through penalty. Discussions may occur between drivers and the race director regarding possible escape routes to avoid such penalties for minor mistakes.Fri 2 Oct · 12:54 UTC/GettyImages-2298175162.webp)
via Formula1.comLeclerc highlights 'main talking point' as he judges performanceCharles Leclerc had a strong performance during the practice sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing first in the second practice and fourth in the first. Despite this, he expressed concerns about Ferrari's competitiveness compared to rivals Red Bull and Mercedes, highlighting their standout performances. Leclerc noted that the track conditions were challenging, with significant tyre degradation expected to be a crucial factor in the upcoming race.
Ferrari's Team Principal Fred Vasseur echoed Leclerc's sentiments, acknowledging the difficulties posed by the track's grip and the need for improvement. Both Leclerc and Vasseur emphasised the importance of focusing on their own performance while preparing for the race, as they anticipate that managing tyre degradation will be key to achieving a strong result.
Fri 2 Oct · 11:54 UTC
via F1iMax Verstappen and Charles Leclerc lead in SepangMax Verstappen of Red Bull Racing and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari topped the timesheets during the opening days of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Sepang. Their performances have set the stage for an exciting qualifying session ahead.
Fri 2 Oct · 11:07 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA confirms worst-kept Isack Hadjar secret at Bahrain Grand PrixThe FIA has officially confirmed that Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar will incur a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. This decision follows Hadjar's announcement during a media day that he was expecting a grid drop due to exceeding his engine component allowance.
Hadjar recently made a strong comeback at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, securing his second podium finish of the season. Alongside Hadjar, Alpine's Franco Colapinto and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad will also face penalties for similar reasons, with Lindblad's total penalties amounting to 30 positions. New regulations state that drivers facing penalties exceeding 15 places will automatically start from the back of the grid.
Fri 2 Oct · 10:57 UTC/GettyImages-2298210625.webp)
via Formula1.comMcLaren explain what ‘caught us by surprise’ in MalaysiaMcLaren experienced mixed results during the first day of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with Oscar Piastri acknowledging that the team seemed to have improved from the first to the second practice session. Piastri finished sixth in FP2 after struggling in FP1, while Lando Norris climbed to third place, indicating progress for the team.
Randy Singh, McLaren's Senior Racing Director, explained that the track conditions were unexpectedly challenging due to lower grip and rougher surfaces. He expressed optimism about the car's performance after adjustments made during the day, although Piastri suggested that the team remains slightly behind the leading competitors, including Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari.Fri 2 Oct · 10:53 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell warns of Mercedes struggles in BahrainGeorge Russell has expressed concerns about Mercedes' performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, stating that the car is 'off the pace' compared to rivals Red Bull and McLaren. Despite a significant upgrade, Russell believes adjustments are necessary to improve competitiveness.+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via Motorsport WeekFIA investigates Lewis Hamilton over Bahrain practice incidentThe FIA has launched an investigation into Lewis Hamilton following a blocking incident involving Gabriel Bortoleto during the second practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix. This marks another instance of Hamilton facing scrutiny for his actions in practice.
+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:41 UTC
via CrashMax Verstappen's unique tyre strategy in Bahrain practiceMax Verstappen employed an unusual medium-tyre strategy during Free Practice 2 for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. The session saw lap times significantly slower than expected, attributed to the poor track surface.+ 4 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:26 UTC
via RacingNews365FIA make late Sepang change after unusual circuit mistakeThe FIA has rectified a mistake regarding the pole position grid slot at the Sepang International Circuit, where it was incorrectly painted on the left side of the start-finish straight. This error was identified during preparations for the Bahrain Grand Prix, leading to a prompt correction by the FIA to restore the traditional pole position on the right side of the track.
The miscommunication in documentation resulted in the initial incorrect markings, which were covered and repainted to reflect the historical configuration. The adjustments also included moving the start line to ensure proper timing and distance measurements. These changes were completed ahead of the weekend's racing activities, marking the return of Formula 1 to Sepang after a six-year hiatus.Fri 2 Oct · 09:27 UTCPage 6 of 13