via RaceFansMercedes questions effectiveness of Bahrain upgradesToto Wolff has expressed confusion over the performance of Mercedes' recent upgrades introduced at the Bahrain Grand Prix, suggesting they may have hindered rather than improved the car's speed. Andrea Kimi Antonelli confirmed that the team is uncertain whether the changes made the W17 faster or slower, following disappointing qualifying results.
RaceFans+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:38 UTC
via the-race.comMax Verstappen claims Red Bull's breakthrough at SepangMax Verstappen secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, marking his first pole since the end of the 2025 season. He attributed this achievement to Red Bull's recent development efforts, stating that the team has successfully addressed previous weaknesses.
the-race.com+ 6 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:14 UTC
via RaceFansMax Verstappen secures first pole of 2026 in MalaysiaMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The result marks a significant milestone for Red Bull, as it is their first pole with their in-house power unit developed in collaboration with Ford.RaceFans+ 6 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:10 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoVerstappen takes pole ahead of Hamilton in MalaysiaMax Verstappen secured pole position for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, marking Red Bull's first pole of the season. Lewis Hamilton will start alongside him on the front row, reigniting their historic rivalry.
RacingNews365+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:09 UTC
via PlanetF144 videosVerstappen claims pole position for Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. The Red Bull driver outpaced Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who will start in second place.
PlanetF1+ 10 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:05 UTC
via RaceFans22 videosqualifying results for 2026 Bahrain Grand PrixQualifying for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix took place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The session focused on the battle for pole position ahead of the race.RaceFans+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:03 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoMax Verstappen dominates Bahrain GP qualifyingMax Verstappen of Red Bull Racing showcased his speed by securing pole position during the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. His performance highlighted his continued dominance in the 2026 Formula 1 season.RacingNews365+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 06:55 UTC
Wikimedia Commons · Yu Chu Chin · CC BY-SA 4.0Tyre survival could decide wide-open Sepang raceThe upcoming Formula 1 race at Sepang is shaping up to be highly competitive, with Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Kimi Antonelli each showing strong performances in practice sessions. Red Bull's Laurent Mekies has indicated that as many as eight cars could be in contention for the win, with tyre degradation expected to play a critical role in the race outcome.
Drivers have expressed concerns about the high wear on the track surface and extreme temperatures, which could complicate tyre management. George Russell from Mercedes noted that severe overheating might hinder the benefits of their recent aerodynamic upgrades. As teams prepare for the race, effective tyre management will be essential, especially in the challenging conditions expected at Sepang.newsonf1.comSat 3 Oct · 06:50 UTC
via espn.comAntonelli goes fastest in final practice in MalaysiaKimi Antonelli showcased his speed by clocking the fastest time during the final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. His impressive lap of 1:36.302 put him ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who finished just two-tenths behind, while Isack Hadjar secured third place.
George Russell initially held second but ultimately finished fourth, over six-tenths off Antonelli's pace. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top six in fifth and sixth positions, respectively. The qualifying session is set to commence at 9 a.m. British Summer Time.
espn.comSat 3 Oct · 06:42 UTC
via f1oversteer.comIsack Hadjar ‘never’ sees anything in Max Verstappen’s data he can’t do but one difference is clearIsack Hadjar, the Red Bull driver, claims he has never encountered anything in Max Verstappen's data that he cannot replicate. However, he acknowledges that Verstappen consistently pushes the limits of the car, which sets him apart from other drivers. Hadjar has impressed in his second season, having recently signed a contract extension with Red Bull for 2027.
Despite facing challenges as Verstappen's teammate, Hadjar has shown strong performance, scoring 86 points so far this season. He has reached Q3 in all his appearances, although he trails Verstappen in several qualifying and race results. Hadjar's confidence in his abilities suggests he is adapting well to the pressures of competing alongside a four-time champion.
f1oversteer.comSat 3 Oct · 06:30 UTC
via F1iBahrain GP: Antonelli puts Mercedes on top; edges Red Bull duoKimi Antonelli led the final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, clocking a time of 1m36.302s in his upgraded Mercedes W17. This performance marked a significant improvement for Mercedes after a challenging Friday, where Antonelli and George Russell struggled to find pace, finishing second and fifth in the first practice session.
In the final session, Antonelli initially lost the top spot to Charles Leclerc and Isack Hadjar but reclaimed it with his impressive lap. Verstappen's Red Bull secured second place, while Russell and Leclerc rounded out the top five. McLaren continued to face difficulties, with Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing seventh and eighth respectively, over a second behind Antonelli's benchmark.
F1iSat 3 Oct · 05:48 UTC
via RaceFansAntonelli leads the Red Bulls in final practice | Formula 1In the final practice session at the Sepang International Circuit, Andrea Kimi Antonelli achieved the fastest lap, putting Mercedes at the top for the first time this weekend. He outpaced his teammate George Russell, who is also a contender for the championship, by more than half a second, showcasing the effectiveness of Mercedes' new upgrade package.
The Red Bull drivers, including Max Verstappen, managed to place themselves between the two Mercedes drivers, with Verstappen nearly three-tenths of a second slower than Antonelli. Meanwhile, both Ferrari drivers struggled, clocking in seven-tenths slower than the session leader. The drivers faced challenges due to the track's abrasive surface, which made it difficult to achieve optimal lap times.RaceFansSat 3 Oct · 05:41 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli tops final practice in Bahrain for MercedesKimi Antonelli topped the final practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, marking a strong recovery for the Mercedes team after a challenging Friday. The championship-leading outfit showcased significant upgrades, demonstrating their competitive edge ahead of the race.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 05:40 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 RacingNews365Oscar Piastri hopeful McLaren 'takes its turn' in jumbled Sepang pecking orderOscar Piastri expressed his hope that McLaren could take its turn at the top of the pecking order during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang. After a mixed performance in Free Practice 1 and 2, where McLaren showed improvement, Piastri noted the competitiveness among the top teams, including Red Bull and Ferrari.
Piastri highlighted that McLaren's performance in Free Practice 2 was better than in the first session, where they struggled. He acknowledged the close competition among the top four teams and expressed optimism about continuing their upward trend as they prepare for the race.RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 21:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya says there would be 'tears' if he raced Max Verstappen thanks to F1’s rulesJuan Pablo Montoya expressed his thoughts on how racing against Max Verstappen would have been disastrous, stating it would likely end in tears due to their aggressive driving styles. He noted that modern drivers are more aware of the financial implications of crashes, which adds to the caution on track.
During a podcast interview, Montoya defended his own driving record, claiming he did not crash as frequently as people believed. He acknowledged that while he had significant crashes, they were not as common as his reputation suggested. Ultimately, he concluded that the combination of their driving styles would have led to significant incidents if they had raced together.f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 20:00 UTC
via RacingNews365Red Bull explain unusual Max Verstappen running in F1 rarityRed Bull's technical director Pierre Waché noted the team's strong performance during the opening day of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Max Verstappen achieved the fastest time in the first practice session, while Isack Hadjar showed promise in the second session, despite the extreme heat and challenging track conditions.
Waché explained that Verstappen's decision to skip soft compound tyres in FP2 was strategic, focusing on long-run preparations due to potential rain. The team faced difficulties with brake management, particularly for Hadjar, as the unique layout of the Sepang circuit posed challenges for both car performance and tyre management.RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 19:00 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 Motorsport.comF1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchThe Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia is set for Saturday with Charles Leclerc leading the pack after the second practice session. He narrowly edged out Isack Hadjar, while Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five. Mercedes faced challenges, with both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli struggling to maximise their soft-tyre runs.
Saturday's schedule includes final practice at 12:30pm MYT followed by qualifying at 4:00pm MYT. The weather forecast indicates hot and humid conditions, with temperatures around 32-33C and a possibility of thunderstorms earlier in the day. Teams will need to prepare for changing grip levels as they navigate the challenging Sepang circuit.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 17:13 UTC
via Motorsport.comF1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchMax Verstappen achieved pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, dominating the qualifying sessions. His final lap placed him ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who will start second. Isack Hadjar initially qualified third but will face a five-place grid penalty, promoting Andrea Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid.
The race is set for October 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM MYT, with weather conditions expected to be hot and humid, along with the possibility of thunderstorms. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK, while Apple TV will offer free streaming in the United States. The Sepang circuit's challenging surface and weather conditions will require teams to strategise effectively.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 17:13 UTC
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri spots ‘unpredictable’ Malaysia curveball in McLaren progress updateOscar Piastri, the McLaren driver, is looking forward to the possibility of racing in wet conditions during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. He highlighted the unpredictability of the new power units in rain, noting that the deployment of power is capped, which could affect performance. Piastri finished sixth in the second practice session, just behind his teammate Lando Norris, who was third.
Piastri has been working on adapting to the latest generation of Formula 1 cars and feels he is gradually finding a better setup. He mentioned that while the process is challenging, he is becoming more comfortable with the car's demands. The anticipation for rain adds an extra layer of excitement, as F1 has yet to experience wet weather this season despite several forecasts.PlanetF1Fri 2 Oct · 17:02 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya heard Max Verstappen say something about George Russell that he ‘never’ likes toJuan Pablo Montoya thinks Max Verstappen saw George Russell “in a different light” for the first time in the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix given his ...f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 17:00 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 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.f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 15:00 UTC