Andrea Kimi AntonelliCarlos PaceMartin Brundle 
via f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli tops final practice at Bahrain Grand PrixKimi Antonelli of Mercedes achieved the fastest time in Free Practice 3 for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen by 0.278 seconds. This performance sets the stage for a competitive qualifying session between Mercedes and Red Bull.
f1oversteer.com+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 05:33 UTC
via f1chronicle.com1 videoToto Wolff addresses George Russell's struggles with AntonelliToto Wolff has acknowledged that George Russell found it difficult to cope with Kimi Antonelli's impressive start to the 2026 season, where Antonelli won five consecutive races. Wolff expressed optimism that both Mercedes drivers would maintain respect for the team's interests despite the challenges.
f1chronicle.com+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 22:25 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLaurent Mekies admits he'd love the Max Verstappen 'problem' Martin Brundle can now see for Red BullLaurent Mekies of Red Bull Racing expressed enthusiasm about the competitive dynamic between Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, following their recent success. The duo achieved a double podium finish, marking a significant improvement for the team this season, and Mekies highlighted Hadjar's impressive performance in Baku as a turning point for the second seat at Red Bull.
Mekies acknowledged the potential challenges of managing two strong drivers competing for points but views it as a positive situation for the team. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and the possibility of making difficult decisions in the future, indicating that both drivers are committed to maximizing team results. With Hadjar eager to establish his position and Verstappen focusing on the upcoming season, Red Bull appears to be in a strong position moving forward.f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 19:00 UTC
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.
RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 17:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli highlights Mercedes W17 weaknessesKimi Antonelli has pointed out a significant shortcoming in the Mercedes W17, raising concerns about the team's recent upgrade following the Bahrain Grand Prix. Mercedes experienced difficulties during the event, struggling to integrate their aerodynamic improvements effectively.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 16:00 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.
theguardian.com+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 15:22 UTC
via espn.comVerstappen: Russell winning title 'not impossible'Max Verstappen has stated that George Russell requires a significant improvement to have a chance at catching Kimi Antonelli in the world championship standings. Heading into the Bahrain Grand Prix, Russell is currently 66 points behind Antonelli, who has won eight races this season compared to Russell's three. Despite a strong performance in Azerbaijan, where Russell led every lap, the gap remains substantial.
Verstappen highlighted the challenges Russell faces, noting the differences in driving styles and the impact of new regulations on performance. He acknowledged Antonelli's exceptional talent and the difficulties rookies encounter with the current ground-effect cars. As the drivers prepare for the physically demanding conditions in Malaysia, both Russell and Antonelli will need to overcome their practice mistakes to improve their standings.
espn.comFri 2 Oct · 12:47 UTC%2FGettyImages-2298210625.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comMcLaren admits error in Bahrain Grand Prix strategyAndrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, acknowledged that the team made an incorrect judgement regarding their tyre strategy during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Lando Norris, who qualified sixth, found himself at the back of the pack shortly after the race began due to this miscalculation.
Formula1.com+ 1 moreFri 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.RacingNews365+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via PlanetF1‘Brave and brilliant’ – Martin Brundle leads tributes after heartbreaking newsMartin Brundle has expressed his condolences following the death of Esther Rantzen, a prominent British television personality, who passed away at the age of 86 after battling lung cancer. Rantzen was well-known for her long-running show That's Life! and for founding the charity Childline, which provides support for children in need.
In his tribute, Brundle praised Rantzen as a brave and brilliant communicator. He highlighted her advocacy for assisted dying after her cancer diagnosis in 2023. Brundle, a former Formula 1 driver and current commentator, has returned to his role at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is being held in Malaysia this year due to a rescheduling.
PlanetF1Fri 2 Oct · 10:31 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Wolff: Russell found it 'difficult to cope' with Antonelli 'reality'Toto Wolff revealed that George Russell has faced challenges coping with the impressive performances of his teammate Kimi Antonelli during the 2026 Formula 1 season. Despite entering the season as a favourite for the Drivers' Championship, Russell struggled early on, particularly after an engine failure at the Canadian Grand Prix, which limited his podium finishes until the summer break.
Wolff highlighted the emotional nature of Russell's character, noting that he has had to adapt to the competitiveness of the 19-year-old Antonelli, who has quickly established himself as a formidable rookie. As the season progresses, Wolff aims to ensure both drivers are treated equally, emphasizing the importance of open communication and support within the team.
Sky Sports F1Fri 2 Oct · 10:21 UTC
via f1oversteer.comBernie Collins saw something ‘ominous’ on Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes in the Sepang pit laneBernie Collins has expressed concerns over the new upgrades on Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, noting that the changes could enhance the car's performance significantly. The upgrades, which include modifications to the sidepods and engine cover, are designed to improve aerodynamics and cornering speed, potentially giving the W17 a competitive edge.
Antonelli mentioned that the upgrades could result in a lap time improvement of 0.3 seconds. Collins highlighted the importance of these updates, suggesting that they could make Mercedes the team to beat during the race weekend. As the Bahrain GP takes place in Malaysia this year, all eyes will be on how these enhancements perform in practice and qualifying.f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 10:00 UTC
via RaceFansLeclerc quickest as Verstappen avoids softs and Hamilton faces investigation | Formula 1In the second practice session at the Sepang International Circuit, Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets, showcasing strong performance ahead of the race. Max Verstappen, who had been the fastest in the first practice, opted not to use soft tyres, while his teammate Isack Hadjar managed to clock a time very close to Leclerc's.
Lando Norris also demonstrated competitive pace but experienced a close call with Sergio Perez as he approached the pit lane. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is facing an investigation related to an incident during the session, adding an extra layer of scrutiny to his performance.
RaceFansFri 2 Oct · 09:06 UTC
via PlanetF11 videoCharles Leclerc fastest in Bahrain Grand Prix FP2Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, clocking a lap of 1m37.528s. The session remained dry despite a significant threat of rain, with both Mercedes drivers struggling to find pace.PlanetF1+ 8 moreFri 2 Oct · 09:01 UTC
via f1oversteer.com22 videosCharles Leclerc sets fastest time in Bahrain FP2Charles Leclerc achieved the fastest lap during the second free practice session for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Meanwhile, Mercedes struggled to keep pace with the frontrunners.f1oversteer.com+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 09:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comFerrari faces new Sepang challenge as Fred Vasseur reveals weekend focusFerrari's team principal Fred Vasseur has stated that the team will concentrate on race pace during the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. This decision comes as a response to the challenges posed by severe tyre degradation, contrasting with the recent low-degradation circuits they have encountered.
Vasseur highlighted that the team had to adjust their aerodynamic set-up in the previous Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to grip issues. He anticipates that the competitive landscape will shift significantly at Sepang, with Max Verstappen leading the first practice session. Ferrari currently sits second in the constructors' standings, trailing Mercedes by 160 points.
Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 08:48 UTC
via CrashMercedes questions W17 upgrade after Bahrain GP strugglesMercedes is left searching for answers following a disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where the team struggled to integrate its significant aerodynamic upgrade to the W17. George Russell described the situation as a 'big question mark' for the team after failing to replicate their promising pace from earlier practice sessions.
Crash+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 08:20 UTC
via newsonf1.comAntonelli considering Monaco moveOct.2 (GMM) Kimi Antonelli could soon join Formula 1’s growing Monaco contingent, with Prince Albert revealing that the Mercedes championship leader is considering moving to the Principality. Antonelli, who was born in Bologna and currently lives in San Marino, moved away from the family home as his Formula 1 career accelerated. Prince Albert revealed the…newsonf1.comFri 2 Oct · 07:45 UTC
via F1iMercedes claims three-tenths gain from Sepang upgradeMercedes has announced that its latest aerodynamic upgrade for the W17 is expected to provide a performance improvement of approximately three tenths of a second. Kimi Antonelli expressed optimism that this significant development could enhance the team's competitiveness during the Sepang race weekend.
F1i+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 07:12 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMercedes just dealt George Russell a bigger ‘drop off’ blow than Max Verstappen’s pace at SepangDuring Practice 1 of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, George Russell secured second place but faced significant tyre degradation issues, as confirmed by Mercedes. Max Verstappen dominated the session, finishing 0.383 seconds ahead of Russell, raising concerns for the Mercedes team regarding their performance.
Russell inquired about the tyre situation over the radio, revealing that Mercedes was struggling compared to Red Bull. The team indicated that they were the outliers in terms of tyre performance, which could lead to a challenging race weekend if not addressed. Russell is hoping for rain to potentially alter the tyre dynamics in his favour.f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 07:00 UTC
via RacingNews365RUMOURGeorge Russell tipped to ignite extraordinary F1 title comeback with ‘fire in his eyes’George Russell's recent performance in Azerbaijan has sparked optimism about his chances in the Formula 1 title race. After achieving his first grand chelem, Russell demonstrated a strong drive that has led pundit Martin Brundle to suggest he could find 'another gear' in the upcoming races. Despite Kimi Antonelli's commanding lead in the championship, Russell's performance has reignited hopes for a comeback.
Brundle noted that the title race remains open, especially with challenging circuits ahead that could lead to unpredictable results. Antonelli's struggles in qualifying and Russell's ability to recover highlight the competitive nature of the season. With Mercedes' anticipated upgrades, Russell's prospects for the remainder of the season look promising.RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 06:10 UTC
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen leads opening practice at Bahrain GPMax Verstappen of Red Bull set the fastest time in the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. He was followed closely by George Russell, marking a competitive start to the event.Motorsport.com+ 8 moreFri 2 Oct · 05:38 UTC
via CrashKimi Antonelli tops Free Practice 3 in BahrainKimi Antonelli secured the fastest time in Free Practice 3 for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia. The session took place at the Sepang International Circuit as teams prepared for the upcoming qualifying rounds.Crash+ 6 moreFri 2 Oct · 05:31 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell comments on Mercedes' Bahrain upgradesGeorge Russell expressed caution regarding the impact of Mercedes' significant aerodynamic upgrades at the Bahrain Grand Prix, suggesting that tyre issues may be obscuring their effectiveness. The upgrades are the most substantial seen on the W17 cars since the Canadian Grand Prix in May.RacingNews365+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 03:07 UTC