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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 PlanetF1Red Bull expresses wish for team orders with VerstappenRed Bull Racing has revealed a desire to implement team orders involving Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. The team decided against imposing such orders during the recent race in Baku.
+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 14:37 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 f1technical.net“We're struggling more than we'd like to," claims Norris after Sepang practice dayMcLaren made significant progress between the two Friday practice sessions at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris finishing third in FP2 and Oscar Piastri sixth as the team continued to unlock its package at Sepang.Fri 2 Oct · 13:33 UTC/PRACTICE%20DEBRIEF%20header%20Bahrain%20Malaysia.webp)
via Formula1.comWho has the edge in Sepang after a too-close-to-call Friday?The Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang kicked off with a highly competitive second practice session, where the top four teams were separated by just four tenths of a second. Discussions among teams and drivers highlighted concerns about tyre degradation, which played a significant role in their performance assessments.
Despite the close times, no team has clearly established itself as the favourite to win, leaving the competition wide open. The data collected from the practice sessions suggests that the battle for supremacy will be intense, with teams still evaluating their strategies as they prepare for the race.
Fri 2 Oct · 13:28 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 Motorsport.comWhy extremely rough Sepang was over four seconds slower than Pirelli's F1 simulationsDuring the Friday practice for the Formula 1 return to Malaysia, the Sepang circuit's abrasive surface caused significant issues, leading to lap times that were 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli's qualifying simulations. The track began to break up, prompting the use of sweeper trucks to clear debris, which contributed to the low grip levels experienced by the teams.
Pirelli's chief engineer, Simone Berra, indicated that while the rough conditions would not pose safety risks, they would likely worsen during the race. Drivers like Charles Leclerc expressed challenges with the slippery track, suggesting that the evolving conditions could impact race strategy and performance, particularly in balancing car setup for qualifying and race stints.
Fri 2 Oct · 12:57 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
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton warned, Ferrari fined for Bahrain GPLewis Hamilton has received a warning for impeding Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto during practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix, while his Ferrari team has been fined €10,000. The incident has drawn attention due to a faulty mirror issue involving Hamilton's car.Fri 2 Oct · 12:40 UTC
via RaceFansHamilton warned and Ferrari fined for practice incidentLewis Hamilton received a formal warning from the FIA stewards for unnecessarily impeding Gabriel Bortoleto during second practice at Sepang. Ferrari was also fined €10,000, approximately $11,250, for their involvement in the incident.
+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 12:37 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 the-race.comWinners and losers from F1 practice day in MalaysiaThe 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.
Fri 2 Oct · 11:29 UTC
via F1iBahrain Grand Prix chaos marked by rain and glitchesThe 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia experienced significant disruptions due to torrential rain and software glitches. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were notable performers throughout the weekend, showcasing their competitive edge during the qualifying sessions.
+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 11:07 UTC
via f1oversteer.comAnthony Davidson left ‘flabbergasted’ after watching Lance Stroll’s onboard camera at SepangDuring the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix practice session, Anthony Davidson expressed his confusion after observing Lance Stroll's unusual driving technique. Stroll's aggressive steering inputs during FP2 left Davidson unable to comprehend the rationale behind his actions, which included multiple steering adjustments before turning into a corner. Stroll ultimately finished the session in 18th place, significantly off the pace set by Charles Leclerc, who topped the timesheets.
Davidson noted that Stroll's driving style resembled that of Fernando Alonso during his successful years with Renault. Despite Stroll's lack of prior experience at Sepang, Davidson found it perplexing that he would employ such an aggressive approach. This incident adds to a pattern of unusual driving styles exhibited by Aston Martin drivers this season.Fri 2 Oct · 11:00 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 UTCPage 9 of 32