via RacingNews365Lando Norris reflects on McLaren's struggles in MalaysiaLando Norris acknowledged that McLaren lacked the pace to compete effectively at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The British driver finished ninth after a late-race incident and an unsuccessful tyre strategy.
RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via Motorsport.comLando Norris highlights McLaren's straight-line speed issuesLando Norris has expressed frustration over McLaren's ongoing straight-line speed deficit, which he estimates costs him nearly two-tenths of a second per lap. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that McLaren and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains are investigating the issue affecting Norris's performance.
Motorsport.com+ 5 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:44 UTC
via CrashLando Norris dismisses Bahrain GP qualifying excuses with blunt "just slow" admissionLando Norris provided a candid assessment of McLaren's qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix, stating that the team was simply "just slow" after qualifying sixth. He acknowledged that they were six tenths off the pole position and highlighted that the unique tarmac at the Sepang International Circuit contributed to their struggles, particularly affecting the Mercedes-powered teams.
Despite the disappointing qualifying results, Norris expressed satisfaction with his own lap time but recognised the need for the team to improve their overall performance. He mentioned ongoing issues with straight-line speed and indicated that while the deficit to competitors like Red Bull and Ferrari is significant, there remains potential for recovery during the race through strategic pit stops.
CrashSat 3 Oct · 10:30 UTC
via Motorsport WeekGeorge Russell criticises Mercedes' poor qualifying in SepangGeorge Russell has described Mercedes' qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix as 'very bad', following a disappointing session after a promising practice. The team, which had shown competitive pace earlier, struggled to match the performance of Red Bull, who secured pole position.
Motorsport Week+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:27 UTC
via RacingNews3651 videoGeorge Russell perplexed by poor qualifying in SepangGeorge Russell expressed confusion over his disappointing qualifying performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where he finished eighth. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also voiced his bafflement at the team's unexpected lack of pace despite recent upgrades.RacingNews365+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:22 UTC
via RacingNews365Toto Wolff expresses confusion over Mercedes' paceToto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has voiced his confusion regarding the team's performance following a significant upgrade package for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite expectations of improved pace, both Kimi Antonelli and George Russell struggled during qualifying, leaving Wolff to suggest that 'something else is going on'.Crash+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:50 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 RacingNews365Red Bull seen as biggest threat to Mercedes in F1Anthony Davidson, a former Formula 1 driver, has stated that Red Bull is becoming the 'biggest threat' to Mercedes' dominance in the sport. This assessment comes as Red Bull's performance continues to improve, suggesting a shift in the competitive landscape of Formula 1.RacingNews365Sat 3 Oct · 06:32 UTC
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 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 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+ 5 moreFri 2 Oct · 15:22 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 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 effectiveness of Bahrain GP upgradesToto Wolff expressed confusion over the performance of Mercedes' new aerodynamic upgrade following the Bahrain Grand Prix, suggesting it may have hindered rather than improved the team's competitiveness. Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell both reported disappointing qualifying results, leaving the team uncertain about the upgrades' impact.Crash+ 10 moreFri 2 Oct · 08:20 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 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 f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer thinks Oscar Piastri’s explanation for 2026 struggles is ‘amazing’Oscar Piastri has shared his thoughts on the challenges posed by the 2026 Formula 1 cars, which he feels do not align with his driving style. Despite a successful 2025 season where he won seven races, Piastri is currently struggling in 2026, sitting significantly behind his teammate Lando Norris in the standings. Norris has been the standout performer for McLaren this year, securing both of the team's wins and leading Piastri by 66 points.
Jolyon Palmer expressed admiration for Piastri's candidness, noting the trend of drivers like Piastri and George Russell banding together to discuss their difficulties with the new car dynamics. Palmer reflected on his own experiences of being overlooked during similar struggles in the past. As the season progresses, Piastri is looking to improve his performance, particularly at the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix, where he hopes the unique circuit conditions will provide a more level playing field.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 06:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen explains why his ‘pure pace’ was stronger as an 18-year-old F1 driver than nowMax Verstappen has shared insights on his racing evolution, stating that his raw pace as an 18-year-old was stronger than it is now, despite his extensive experience in Formula 1. He attributes this to a shift in his racing mentality, where he no longer feels the need to be fast all the time, focusing instead on optimising his race weekends.
During a podcast appearance, Verstappen discussed how his experiences and personal life have changed since his teenage years. He noted that as he matured, he became calmer and more strategic in his approach to racing, understanding when to push and when to hold back. This evolution reflects not only his growth as a driver but also the changes in his life outside of racing.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 05:30 UTC
via the-race.comThe slowest race of F1 2026 explainedValtteri Bottas has detailed his significant pace issues during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he was over 1.7 seconds slower per lap than his Cadillac teammate Sergio Perez. Bottas crashed on the final lap after struggling with car setup and power steering issues throughout the race, leading to a lack of competitiveness. He acknowledged that he was unable to keep up with the pack and faced difficulties in both corners and straights.
Bottas's performance was further impacted by the absence of the upgraded ADUO 2 Ferrari engine, which Perez had during the race. While Bottas's engine upgrade is uncertain for the upcoming race in Sepang, Perez has opted to save his power unit for a more advantageous event. Both drivers anticipate a tough weekend in Malaysia due to the Cadillac's ongoing struggles with tyre management and aerodynamic performance.
the-race.comThu 1 Oct · 04:29 UTC
via Motorsport WeekFred Vasseur addresses Hamilton's comments on LeclercFred Vasseur stated that Lewis Hamilton's radio messages regarding Charles Leclerc need to stop, emphasising the need for control over the situation. Jolyon Palmer suggested that Vasseur should take a firmer stance on the ongoing disputes between the two drivers.Motorsport Week+ 1 moreWed 30 Sep · 17:00 UTC
via Motorsport WeekRed Bull issues Isack Hadjar radio praise during ‘outstanding’ F1 returnIsack Hadjar made a remarkable return to Formula 1 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing in third place after missing three races due to a wrist injury. His performance was highlighted by his strong qualifying position of fourth and his ability to work strategically alongside teammate Max Verstappen, which impressed Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies.
Mekies commended Hadjar for his composure and discipline during the race, particularly in his communication with the team. He noted that Hadjar's calmness and emotional control contributed significantly to the team's overall strategy, allowing for effective teamwork. Red Bull's decision to extend Hadjar's contract until 2027 reflects their confidence in his potential, which he demonstrated by repaying their faith with a strong performance in Baku.Motorsport WeekMon 28 Sep · 10:00 UTC
via F1iLeclerc urges Ferrari to react to Red Bull and McLaren surgeCharles Leclerc expressed concern over Ferrari's performance after finishing fourth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlighting that the team's SF-26 lacked the necessary pace to compete with Red Bull and McLaren. He noted that rivals had made significant upgrades, while Ferrari had not, which put them at a disadvantage.
Leclerc acknowledged that the development gap was becoming increasingly urgent, as every upgrade must count due to budget caps and testing restrictions. He confirmed that Ferrari has developments planned but was cautious about their potential impact, stressing the need for the team to respond quickly to regain lost ground.
F1iMon 28 Sep · 07:12 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris surprised by Oscar Piastri's paceLando Norris stated that McLaren were 'surprised' by Oscar Piastri's performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged that McLaren must learn from their mistakes after a disappointing race.f1oversteer.comSun 27 Sep · 19:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comJolyon Palmer saw something from Kimi Antonelli for the very ‘first time’ during Baku comeback driveDuring the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer observed Kimi Antonelli's cautious driving style for the first time, as he finished in fifth place after a challenging race. Antonelli, who crashed out of qualifying, had to adopt a more measured approach due to the risks posed by the circuit's barriers, which affected his ability to move up the field quickly.
Despite not replicating his previous form from Monza, where he secured a victory, Antonelli's maturity was highlighted by Palmer. After the race, Antonelli expressed disappointment with his performance, citing issues with tyre pace and damage to his car. He will aim to improve at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, where Mercedes is expected to introduce significant upgrades.f1oversteer.comSat 26 Sep · 15:30 UTC