Bob SaidLewis HamiltonOscar Piastri 
via gpfans.comVerstappen wins chaotic Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured Red Bull's first victory of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was marked by a delayed start and significant confusion on the grid. Lewis Hamilton faced issues with his Ferrari during the wet formation lap, contributing to the race's unprecedented chaos.
gpfans.com+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 08:04 UTC
via RaceFansBahrain Grand Prix start delayed by rain and technical issuesThe start of the Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed due to heavy rain and technical problems affecting several cars. The FIA provided an explanation for the power losses experienced during the formation lap, which contributed to the chaotic situation.
RaceFans+ 2 moreSun 4 Oct · 08:02 UTC
via RacingNews365Alonso comments on Hamilton's Bahrain GP formation lap chaosFernando Alonso has questioned the decision to abort the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix, citing Lewis Hamilton's presence in the gravel as a source of stress. The incident occurred during the formation lap, leading to a suspension of the race start.
RacingNews365+ 1 moreSun 4 Oct · 07:55 UTC
via gpfans.comFIA confirm late Lewis Hamilton Ferrari change at Bahrain Grand PrixThe FIA has confirmed that Ferrari made a late change to Lewis Hamilton's car during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, specifically replacing the low pressure fuel pump in his SF-26. Hamilton will start the race from second position at the Sepang International Circuit, with this modification being one of several adjustments made to various cars during parc ferme after qualifying.
In total, nine cars underwent changes, with notable adjustments including new driver's cockpit windshields for McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Aston Martin also made several modifications to Lance Stroll's AMR26. All changes were conducted with the approval of the FIA technical delegate, adhering to the 2026 Formula One Sporting Regulations.gpfans.comSun 4 Oct · 07:27 UTC
via RacingNews365Bahrain Grand Prix start delayed by heavy rainThe start of the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia has been delayed due to torrential rain and thunderstorms at the Sepang International Circuit. The FIA confirmed the postponement as teams were preparing on the starting grid.RacingNews365+ 10 moreSun 4 Oct · 06:45 UTC
via RacingNews365Lewis Hamilton shares plan to fight Max Verstappen in 'different ball game'Lewis Hamilton is set to compete against Max Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where both drivers secured the front row for the race. Hamilton qualified second, three-tenths of a second behind Verstappen, and is focused on maintaining pace with the Dutch driver during the 56-lap race.
Hamilton highlighted the challenges posed by the Sepang International Circuit, particularly the abrasive track surface and oppressive temperatures. He emphasised the need for effective tyre management, stating that the race conditions will be significantly different from qualifying. Despite the challenges, Hamilton expressed optimism about his car's performance and his ability to keep up with Verstappen.RacingNews365Sun 4 Oct · 04:30 UTC
via RacingNews365Piastri says McLaren must improve after Malaysia performanceOscar Piastri has acknowledged that McLaren's performance in Malaysia highlighted significant weaknesses in their Formula 1 car. After finishing sixth, Piastri noted that the team needs to close the gap to rivals Red Bull and Mercedes ahead of the next race in Singapore.RacingNews365+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 21:00 UTC
via f1technical.netLeclerc explains why he "started losing some performance from Q2" in Sepang qualifyingCharles Leclerc qualified fourth for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, while Lewis Hamilton secured second place and Max Verstappen took pole position. Leclerc admitted to struggling with rear-end instability during Q3, which affected his performance after he had already noticed a decline in Q2. Despite this, he acknowledged that Ferrari had improved compared to their final practice session.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur expressed satisfaction with the qualifying results, highlighting Hamilton's strong lap and Leclerc's potential for a better time. Vasseur emphasized that race strategy and tyre management would be more important than grid positions, especially given the extreme temperatures expected during the race. Leclerc is the only driver to have run on hard tyres at Sepang, which could provide Ferrari with a strategic advantage.
f1technical.netSat 3 Oct · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comChristian Horner backs Ferrari's Fred Vasseur amid scrutinyChristian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has expressed his support for Ferrari's Fred Vasseur as he faces increasing pressure in his role. Vasseur's position at Ferrari has come under scrutiny ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
f1oversteer.com+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 18:30 UTCvia RacingNews365How Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton turned the tables on exposed MercedesMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, showcasing Red Bull's strong performance at the Sepang International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton qualified second, demonstrating the competitiveness of Ferrari, while Mercedes faced challenges, with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell starting fourth and eighth respectively.
The qualifying session highlighted ongoing issues for Mercedes, who struggled to integrate a significant upgrade package. This marked the first time this season that no Mercedes car made it into the top three, raising concerns about the timing of their development changes and their impact on performance.RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 17:25 UTC
via f1technical.netOscar Piastri says McLaren lacks pace for winsOscar Piastri acknowledged that McLaren is not yet competitive enough to challenge for victories in Formula 1. After finishing sixth in the Bahrain Grand Prix, Piastri expressed concerns about the team's overall pace.f1technical.net+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 17:00 UTCvia f1technical.netSRATEGY GUIDE: Did Leclerc and Verstappen put themselves under pressure with their tyre allocation?Max Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton by 0.298 seconds. The Red Bull driver set his fastest lap of 1:35.130 during his final run, while Hamilton qualified second with a time of 1:35.428. Isack Hadjar, who initially placed third, will start further down the grid due to a five-place penalty, allowing Kimi Antonelli to take his spot on the front row.
The race strategy is expected to revolve around tyre allocation, with Pirelli highlighting the importance of the Hard compound. Both Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have only one set of Hard tyres available, which may force them to adapt their strategies. Pirelli anticipates that a two-stop strategy will be the baseline for the race, with the potential for rain adding further complexity to the teams' plans.f1technical.netSat 3 Oct · 16:08 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton's Malaysia fury over 'unacceptable' engine failureLewis Hamilton expressed his anger over an engine failure during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, which he deemed 'unacceptable'. This incident occurred on October 2, marking the ten-year anniversary of a significant retirement in his career. The failure, attributed to a big-end bearing issue, happened on Lap 41, leaving Hamilton frustrated as he was in a strong position to challenge for the championship against his teammate Nico Rosberg.
After the race, Hamilton demanded answers from Mercedes, questioning why he was the only driver experiencing engine failures despite having multiple engines available. He suggested that someone did not want him to win, although he clarified that he was not accusing anyone at Mercedes. The team's technical chief, Paddy Lowe, refuted claims of sabotage, stating that if they could arrange such failures, they would not have any at all.gpfans.comSat 3 Oct · 15:57 UTC
via F1iLando Norris highlights McLaren's struggles in MalaysiaLando Norris expressed frustration over McLaren's performance at the Sepang International Circuit, particularly on the long straights. Despite qualifying in the top six alongside Oscar Piastri, Norris noted that the team is leaving significant performance untapped.
F1i+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 14:21 UTC
via RacingNews365Verstappen-Hamilton ‘flashback’ as Mercedes sufferMax Verstappen clinched his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Lewis Hamilton joined him on the front row, benefiting from significant improvements made to the Ferrari SF-26, which finally performed well in qualifying.
Meanwhile, Mercedes struggled with their new upgrade package, leading to disappointing results. Aston Martin made a notable impact by achieving a double Q2 appearance, showcasing their progress in the competitive field. The Bahrain GP is set to take place on October 4, 2026.RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 13:20 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRUMOURHamilton's Bahrain qualifying lap impresses punditsLewis Hamilton's second-place finish in Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying has been described as a 'massive mic drop' moment, particularly in light of ongoing Ferrari rumours. David Coulthard noted that Hamilton's performance was remarkable, placing him alongside Max Verstappen on the front row for the race.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 13:00 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton lays out Ferrari F1 battle plan to win Bahrain Grand PrixLewis Hamilton has shared his strategy for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, where he will start from second on the grid, just behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen. He highlighted the importance of not getting drawn into a race that does not suit his Ferrari car, particularly due to its straight line speed disadvantage compared to Red Bull.
Hamilton noted that while Ferrari may have an edge in low-speed corners, the key to success will be managing tyre degradation. He expressed the need to balance pushing through corners to compensate for losses on straights while ensuring the tyres do not overheat. Despite acknowledging Verstappen's pace advantage, Hamilton remains determined to compete effectively during the race.gpfans.comSat 3 Oct · 12:54 UTC
via AutosportMcLaren addresses Lando Norris's straight-line speed issuesLando Norris has experienced a recurring straight-line speed deficit in his McLaren MCL40, which has been particularly evident in recent races. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the team is investigating the underlying issues affecting Norris's performance compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Autosport+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:49 UTC
via Motorsport.comMcLaren shares "heartwarming" Oscar Piastri moment with young fan at SepangDuring the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, Oscar Piastri had a touching encounter with a young fan named Harry, who has overcome leukaemia twice. The McLaren team arranged for Harry to meet Piastri, where he received a tour of the garage, advice on karting, and had his hat signed by the driver.
The moment resonated with fans on social media, highlighting the positive impact that drivers like Piastri can have as role models. As for the race, Piastri qualified seventh but will start from sixth on the grid due to a penalty for another driver, Isack Hadjar. He expressed cautious optimism about the race, noting the importance of strategy and tire degradation.
Motorsport.comSat 3 Oct · 12:44 UTC
via PlanetF1Verstappen responds to Russell's complaints about heatMax Verstappen has dismissed George Russell's concerns regarding the extreme heat at the Sepang circuit, suggesting Russell is 'making a fuss'. Russell had highlighted Mercedes' decision not to develop a better cooling vest due to budget cap restrictions.
PlanetF1+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:40 UTC%2FGettyImages-2298168619.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comFernando Alonso achieves Aston Martin's best result in 2026Fernando Alonso secured Aston Martin's best finish of the 2026 Formula 1 season with an eighth-place result at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. This performance marked the team's first points since August and was described by Alonso as a 'miracle' given the challenges faced this season.
Formula1.com+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:32 UTC
via BBC Sport'Incredible' Red Bull upgrade enlivens F1 in 'roasting hot' MalaysiaMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the weekend. Lewis Hamilton, starting from second, expressed concerns about Verstappen's pace, recalling their intense rivalry from previous seasons. Red Bull's recent upgrades have significantly improved their car's performance, allowing Verstappen to take the lead in qualifying.
Isack Hadjar, who missed the first three races after an injury, noted a marked improvement in the car's handling since his return. Meanwhile, Mercedes faced challenges with their new aerodynamic upgrade, struggling to find the right balance on the demanding Sepang track. Kimi Antonelli, starting from third, highlighted the importance of strategy and track position for the upcoming race, particularly in the hot conditions expected.
BBC SportSat 3 Oct · 12:25 UTC
via RaceFans“This and golf are probably the two most frustrating fricking sports” – Hamilton | Formula 1Lewis Hamilton expressed his feelings about Formula 1 and golf, calling them two of the most frustrating sports. Despite the challenges he has faced this season, he was elated to achieve his second front row start in 2026, with his previous one being at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, which he won.
Hamilton noted that while he was second in the championship just four rounds ago, his points deficit to leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli has now more than doubled to over 100 points. He reflected on the season as a trying one but highlighted that there have been many positives and good days throughout.RaceFansSat 3 Oct · 12:19 UTC
via Motorsport.comHamilton calls Bahrain qualifying his best of 2026Lewis Hamilton described his front-row qualifying performance for the Bahrain Grand Prix as the 'best lap' of his 2026 Formula 1 season. He expressed surprise at achieving this position alongside Max Verstappen, noting that the Mercedes car felt great.Motorsport.com+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:10 UTC