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via Formula1.comNorris apologises to Colapinto for Baku commentsLando Norris has clarified his decision to publicly apologise to Franco Colapinto following his strong criticism of the Alpine driver after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Norris expressed that he wanted to address the situation after initially offering a private apology.
via the-race.comF1 teams share insights from Sepang practice sessionsTeams and drivers provided feedback following the first day of practice for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Insights revealed a mix of performance evaluations and challenges faced during the sessions.
via grandprix.comSepang expects 100,000 three-day ticket sales for Bahrain GPSepang International Circuit anticipates selling 100,000 three-day tickets for the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix, with around 95,000 already sold and approximately 3,000 remaining. Notably, about half of the ticket purchasers are from outside Malaysia, indicating a strong international interest despite the short notice for the event.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Sepang after the original event was cancelled due to geopolitical tensions. Sepang has not hosted a Formula 1 race since 2017, and the circuit had to make significant upgrades to accommodate the event. Historically, ticket sales at Sepang peaked at 40,000 to 50,000, making the current sales figures particularly impressive.
via lightsoutblog.com2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Milestones and F1 Records Which Could Be BrokenThe 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, taking place at Sepang International Circuit, marks a significant return for Formula 1 to Malaysia after a nine-year hiatus. This race will be the 1,165th in World Championship history and the first time a country has hosted another country's F1 race since 2006. Notably, it is also the fourth F1 race ever held on October 4, with twelve drivers on the grid making their debut at this circuit.
Several records are on the line during the event, including Lando Norris aiming for his 50th podium finish, which would place him among the top British drivers. Lewis Hamilton could break the pole position record at Sepang, while Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso have a chance to match Felipe Massa's record for sixth place finishes. Additionally, a victory for Max Verstappen would mark his 11th consecutive season with a win, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc defends Fred Vasseur amid speculationCharles Leclerc has publicly supported Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, dismissing ongoing rumours linking Christian Horner to the role. To avoid distractions from the speculation, Leclerc has deleted social media applications from his phone.
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc backs Ferrari boss Fred VasseurCharles Leclerc has expressed his support for Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur as he faces pressure ahead of the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Leclerc stated that he has trust in Vasseur's leadership during this challenging period for the team.
via CrashArvid Lindblad to start from the back at Bahrain Grand PrixThe FIA has confirmed that Arvid Lindblad will start from the back of the grid at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia due to a series of power unit penalties. The Racing Bulls driver is one of three competitors facing grid penalties for the race.
via RacingNews365Franco Colapinto and Isack Hadjar face grid penaltiesFranco Colapinto and Isack Hadjar have both been handed grid penalties for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Colapinto will incur a five-place drop due to a new engine, while Hadjar is also set for a grid penalty, although the specifics have yet to be confirmed.
via AutosportMax Verstappen to race GT3 at Portimão this monthMax Verstappen has confirmed he will compete in a GT3 race at Portimão, adding to his already busy Formula 1 schedule. The Red Bull Racing driver will race a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by 2 Seas Motorsport.
via f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli expects major gains from Mercedes upgradesAndrea Kimi Antonelli has stated that Mercedes' engineers anticipate a significant improvement in lap times from their upcoming updates at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix. Bernie Collins has noted that rivals are closely monitoring the W17 following these developments.
via CrashMax Verstappen hopes to avoid battles with Valentino RossiMax Verstappen expressed his desire to avoid on-track battles with Valentino Rossi during their upcoming GT3 race at Portimao. The four-time Formula 1 champion will compete in the GT World Challenge Europe series, marking his debut in this category.
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen addresses Alonso GT3 partnership rumoursMax Verstappen has dismissed speculation about teaming up with Fernando Alonso in GT3 racing. The Dutch driver confirmed his next appearance in GT3 machinery following his recent Aston Martin deal.
via the-race.comIsack Hadjar and Franco Colapinto face grid penaltiesIsack Hadjar from Red Bull Racing has received a five-place grid penalty for using a new power unit element beyond his allocation at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Franco Colapinto from Alpine has been handed a 15-place penalty due to a collision he caused.
via the-race.comLindblad, Hadjar and Colapinto face grid penalties in MalaysiaArvid Lindblad, Isack Hadjar, and Franco Colapinto will all receive grid penalties for the Formula 1 race in Malaysia due to power unit changes. Lindblad will start from the back of the grid after incurring a 30-place penalty, while Hadjar and Colapinto also face sanctions.
via RacingNews365Arvid Lindblad to start from the back at Bahrain Grand PrixArvid Lindblad will start from the back of the grid at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia due to a series of power unit penalties. The FIA has confirmed that the Racing Bulls driver will face a 30-place grid penalty for the race.
via the-race.comMax Verstappen to race GT3 in Portugal this monthMax Verstappen has confirmed he will compete in a GT3 race in Portugal later this month, marking his return to GT racing. This will be his first appearance in GT3 machinery since the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
via RacingNews365Franco Colapinto addresses Alpine benching speculation after Flavio Briatore angerFranco Colapinto has addressed speculation regarding his potential benching for the Bahrain Grand Prix, clarifying that the situation surrounding his crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix did not jeopardise his seat. Despite Flavio Briatore's anger following the incident, Colapinto confirmed he was back in the simulator preparing for the race in Malaysia shortly after the crash.
Colapinto acknowledged the gravity of his mistake during the restart at Baku, which resulted in a collision that eliminated his teammate Pierre Gasly and others. He expressed remorse for the incident and stated that conversations with Briatore have been constructive. Colapinto remains optimistic about the upcoming race and is focused on moving forward with the support of his team.
via the-race.comThe slowest race of F1 2026 explainedValtteri Bottas has detailed his significant pace issues during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he was over 1.7 seconds slower per lap than his Cadillac teammate Sergio Perez. Bottas crashed on the final lap after struggling with car setup and power steering issues throughout the race, leading to a lack of competitiveness. He acknowledged that he was unable to keep up with the pack and faced difficulties in both corners and straights.
Bottas's performance was further impacted by the absence of the upgraded ADUO 2 Ferrari engine, which Perez had during the race. While Bottas's engine upgrade is uncertain for the upcoming race in Sepang, Perez has opted to save his power unit for a more advantageous event. Both drivers anticipate a tough weekend in Malaysia due to the Cadillac's ongoing struggles with tyre management and aerodynamic performance.
via Motorsport.comHonda introduces second engine upgrade for Aston MartinHonda has confirmed the introduction of its second engine upgrade for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which was first fitted to Lance Stroll's Aston Martin during the Spanish Grand Prix. The upgrade focuses on a revised turbocharger and is part of Honda's strategy to enhance performance for both Stroll and Fernando Alonso.
via f1chronicle.comSepang Track Guide: A Corner-By-Corner BreakdownThe Sepang International Circuit is set to return to the Formula 1 calendar after a nine-year absence, last hosting a race in 2017. Known for its challenging layout, the circuit features a mix of fast sections and heavy braking zones, making it a unique challenge for drivers and teams. Sebastian Vettel holds the record for the most wins at Sepang, while the unpredictable weather has led to several chaotic races in its history.
Significant moments at Sepang include Nico Rosberg's collision with Sebastian Vettel in 2016 and Fernando Alonso's unexpected victory in the rain in 2012. The circuit's design, created by Hermann Tilke, is noted for its wide braking zones and technical corners, which have historically provided opportunities for overtaking. Analysts highlight the need for precise car setup to navigate the circuit's demands effectively.Page 13 of 32