via gpfans.comFranco Colapinto criticises Lando Norris' actionsFranco Colapinto has stated that Lando Norris went too far in his recent criticism following their public feud at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This comes after Norris nearly caused a significant incident at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
gpfans.com+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 13:55 UTC
via AutosportWhy Verstappen’s unusual run plan highlights F1 teams’ biggest challenge in MalaysiaMax Verstappen's decision to forgo a qualifying simulation during Friday practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was influenced by the threat of rain, highlighting the challenge of managing tyre degradation. Red Bull's technical director Pierre Wache emphasised the importance of long runs to understand tyre behaviour, particularly for the medium compound, due to the high degradation levels observed on the track.
The poor track surface led to lap times being significantly slower than expected, complicating the teams' strategies. Pirelli's chief engineer noted that managing both rear and front tyre temperatures is crucial, as the track's conditions create a cycle of increased degradation. This focus on race pace over qualifying performance means teams head into qualifying with more uncertainties than usual.
AutosportFri 2 Oct · 13:43 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.
f1technical.netFri 2 Oct · 13:33 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.
Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 12:57 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
via thejudge13.comVerstappen reveals how he would reshape F1: “Make it a bit more logical”Max Verstappen has expressed his vision for reshaping Formula 1, suggesting significant changes to the sport's structure. He would use the current Formula 1 as a base but would implement more powerful engines and reduce the number of races and the length of race weekends to create a less demanding schedule.
Verstappen also highlighted the need for a more logical calendar, proposing a layout that starts in Europe and moves through Asia before returning via the United States. While he is not seeking a formal role in F1 governance, he has been vocal about the sport's evolution and maintains communication with F1 president Stefano Domenicali.
thejudge13.comFri 2 Oct · 12:18 UTC
via Motorsport.comF1 Bahrain GP long runs: Max Verstappen the favourite in Malaysia?Max Verstappen emerged as the fastest driver during the long runs in the second free practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, running on medium tyres. He was followed by George Russell in second and Charles Leclerc in third, with the gaps indicating a competitive field but no clear order yet established.
Mercedes faced challenges with their new update package, showing a potential loss of pace compared to previous races. McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished fourth and sixth, respectively, while Alpine's Pierre Gasly led a tightly packed midfield. The session highlighted significant tyre wear issues, suggesting a two-stop strategy may be necessary for the race.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 11:49 UTC
via Formula1.comVerstappen assesses ‘positive’ start in MalaysiaMax Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his performance during the first day of the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he topped the timesheets in the first practice session. Despite finishing fourth in the second practice and not running on the soft tyre, he felt the day was positive, although he acknowledged there were still challenges to address due to the hot track conditions.
Red Bull's Technical Director Pierre Wache explained that the decision to avoid the soft tyre was strategic, aiming to gather more data on the medium compound in anticipation of possible rain. Wache also mentioned that the team was pleasantly surprised with their performance compared to expectations, but noted that rivals like Mercedes and McLaren appeared competitive as well.
Formula1.comFri 2 Oct · 11:39 UTC
via Sky Sports F1'Not where it needs to be' - Russell warns of threats to Mercedes at brutal SepangGeorge Russell expressed concerns about the competition from Max Verstappen and McLaren at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, despite Mercedes introducing a significant upgrade package. After a challenging practice session, Russell and his teammate Kimi Antonelli found themselves outside the top five, with Russell finishing second in the opening practice but dropping to seventh later on due to tyre degradation issues.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped the practice timesheet, followed closely by Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and McLaren's Lando Norris. Russell acknowledged the need for setup adjustments to improve their performance ahead of qualifying. He highlighted the competitive nature of the top teams, noting that McLaren appeared to be a strong contender as well.
Sky Sports F1Fri 2 Oct · 11:24 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 Motorsport.comFlavio Briatore moves on from Franco Colapinto crash: 'I was upset but the past is the past'Flavio Briatore, the Alpine Formula 1 chief, has expressed his desire to move on from the incident involving Franco Colapinto, who caused a crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The collision, which also involved Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris, resulted in all three drivers retiring from the race, costing Alpine valuable points in their battle against Racing Bulls.
Briatore acknowledged his disappointment over the incident but emphasised the importance of focusing on the future as Alpine aims to catch Racing Bulls in the championship standings. Colapinto is facing a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, which has been compounded by an additional 10-place penalty due to a fresh engine installation.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 09:37 UTC
via Motorsport.comOscar Piastri’s hilarious comment on 2026 F1 regulations has fans asking questionsOscar Piastri, driving for McLaren, made humorous remarks regarding the 2026 Formula 1 regulations during a press conference at Sepang. He discussed the challenges of simulator work, stating that while it helps identify braking points and gears, there is a limit to its effectiveness, leading to diminishing returns in practice.
Piastri's comments sparked discussions among fans, referencing past humorous exchanges between drivers about how quickly they can learn a track. He noted that the new cars have self-learning capabilities, which has raised concerns among fans about the reliance on technology in racing. His remarks highlight the ongoing debate about the balance between driver skill and technological advancement in Formula 1.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 09:29 UTC
via RacingNews365Charles Leclerc beats the heat but Max Verstappen has overall edgeCharles Leclerc managed to secure the top spot in the second practice session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, overcoming extreme heat conditions. However, it was Max Verstappen who recorded the fastest lap of the day during the first practice session, showcasing Red Bull's competitive edge.
In FP1, Verstappen clocked a time of 1:37.520s, narrowly beating Leclerc's FP2 time of 1:37.528s. The high track temperatures forced teams to adapt their strategies, with many drivers switching to soft tyres earlier than planned. Lewis Hamilton faced scrutiny for an incident involving another driver, while Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar also performed well, finishing third and fourth respectively in FP2.
RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 09:00 UTC
via newsonf1.comBearman thought Monaco sprint was a ‘prank’Oct.2 (GMM) Oliver Bearman says he initially thought Formula 1’s decision to add a sprint race at Monaco in 2027 was a joke – and Max Verstappen is hardly convinced either. “When they told us that we would get a sprint race in that weekend,” Bearman told Viaplay, “I really thought it was a joke.”…newsonf1.comFri 2 Oct · 07:45 UTCvia newsonf1.comBearman thought Monaco sprint was a ‘prank’Oct.2 (GMM) Oliver Bearman says he initially thought Formula 1’s decision to add a sprint race at Monaco in 2027 was a joke – and Max Verstappen is hardly convinced either. “When they told us that we would get a sprint race in that weekend,” Bearman told Viaplay, “I really thought it was a joke.”…newsonf1.comFri 2 Oct · 07:45 UTCvia 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 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 Motorsport WeekF1 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia – Free Practice 1 ResultsMax Verstappen from Red Bull Racing secured the fastest time in Free Practice 1 for the Bahrain Grand Prix held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. He clocked a lap of 1m 37.520s, finishing nearly four tenths ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell, who came in second. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar took third place, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top five.
The practice session marked Formula 1's return to the Sepang circuit after a hiatus since 2017, with teams focusing on gathering data and testing various setups. McLaren's drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, finished in 11th and 12th positions respectively. Additionally, Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad is set to receive a grid penalty due to a power unit change.
Motorsport WeekFri 2 Oct · 06:51 UTC
via espn.comVerstappen sets pace in FP1 at Bahrain GPMax Verstappen topped the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, clocking a time that was 0.383 seconds quicker than Mercedes driver George Russell. Isack Hadjar, Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull, secured third place, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc followed in fourth.
Kimi Antonelli, the current title leader, struggled to keep pace, finishing fifth in his heavily-upgraded Mercedes, more than a second behind Verstappen. The next practice session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. British Summer Time.espn.comFri 2 Oct · 06:38 UTC
via Motorsport.comFranco Colapinto: "No one" talks about how I receive social media abuse following Baku clashFranco Colapinto, the Alpine driver, has spoken out about the social media abuse he has faced following a collision during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He highlighted that while he has received significant backlash, the issue of online hate extends beyond just his situation and involves fans from various backgrounds, not solely from Argentina.
Colapinto urged for greater awareness among drivers regarding the impact of their words and the need for collective action to address the problem of online abuse. He also mentioned that he is facing grid penalties for his actions in Baku, while Lando Norris, who initially reacted strongly to the incident, later issued an apology.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 06:27 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 the-race.comVerstappen beats upgraded Mercedes in Sepang practice oneMax Verstappen dominated the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, outpacing George Russell's upgraded Mercedes by 0.383 seconds. The session saw challenging grip levels due to high track temperatures, with Verstappen adapting quickly to the conditions. Russell's Mercedes, featuring a significant upgrade, struggled with tyre drop-off compared to competitors.
Isack Hadjar and Charles Leclerc followed Verstappen and Russell in the timesheets, while McLaren's performance was disappointing, with both drivers finishing outside the top 10. The session highlighted the competitive nature of the midfield, with Pierre Gasly leading in seventh, and Nico Hulkenberg rounding out the top 10 despite a dramatic moment on track.
the-race.comFri 2 Oct · 05:38 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen secures pole position in SepangMax Verstappen achieved pole position during the first Formula 1 qualifying session in Malaysia in eight years. The session took place in Sepang, where Verstappen topped the timesheets amid soaring temperatures.RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 05:33 UTC