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via 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.
Sat 3 Oct · 16:08 UTC
via RaceFansVerstappen claims pole position at Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Lewis Hamilton qualified in second place, marking his fifth consecutive front-row start at the Sepang circuit.
+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:03 UTC
via Motorsport.comCharles Leclerc reveals touching fan gesture that always makes him emotionalFerrari driver Charles Leclerc shared that hand-drawn pictures from young fans are the gifts that touch him the most. In a social media video, he expressed how these interactions during race weekends stand out, particularly when children present their artwork to him. Leclerc keeps these drawings at home, as they remind him of his own childhood dreams of becoming a Formula 1 driver.
In addition to his reflections on fan interactions, Leclerc is preparing for a new chapter in his life as he and his wife, Alexandra, are expecting their first child. He expressed pride in becoming a father and acknowledged the challenges ahead, while also looking forward to the positivity it will bring. Currently, he sits fifth in the drivers' standings, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 123 points.
Sat 3 Oct · 08:58 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.
Fri 2 Oct · 17:20 UTC
via f1technical.netFerrari expect rivals to "up their game" for Saturday after strong Sepang practice dayFerrari enjoyed a productive opening day of running at the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc topping FP2 while Lewis Hamilton finished fifth as the field began to close up at the front.Fri 2 Oct · 14:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari add ‘striking’ secret upgrade to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s SF-26 at SepangFerrari had a strong start to the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Malaysia, with Charles Leclerc leading the second practice session. Leclerc's lap time of 1:37.528 placed him ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth. The team introduced minor upgrades, including vortex generators on the SF-26, to improve aerodynamics and downforce.
The Bahrain Grand Prix is being held in Malaysia due to the situation in the Middle East, marking a return of the Sepang circuit to the Formula 1 calendar after a hiatus since 2017. Ferrari is expected to roll out more significant upgrades at the upcoming United States Grand Prix, as they prepare for the remainder of the season.
Fri 2 Oct · 13:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard clarifies ‘slamming’ Charles Leclerc’s family ‘picnic’ by admitting his real concernDavid Coulthard recently faced backlash for his comments regarding Charles Leclerc's focus during race weekends, suggesting that having his family present was akin to treating the event like a picnic. Coulthard expressed concern that such distractions could hinder Leclerc's performance as a driver, given the serious nature of Formula One racing.
In response to the criticism, Coulthard clarified his statements on the Up To Speed podcast, explaining that he did not intend to slam Leclerc but rather to highlight the importance of full concentration in the sport. He compared the situation to a surgeon needing complete focus during a procedure, indicating that distractions could impact performance.Fri 2 Oct · 12:00 UTC/GettyImages-2298175162.webp)
via Formula1.comLeclerc highlights 'main talking point' as he judges performanceCharles Leclerc had a strong performance during the practice sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing first in the second practice and fourth in the first. Despite this, he expressed concerns about Ferrari's competitiveness compared to rivals Red Bull and Mercedes, highlighting their standout performances. Leclerc noted that the track conditions were challenging, with significant tyre degradation expected to be a crucial factor in the upcoming race.
Ferrari's Team Principal Fred Vasseur echoed Leclerc's sentiments, acknowledging the difficulties posed by the track's grip and the need for improvement. Both Leclerc and Vasseur emphasised the importance of focusing on their own performance while preparing for the race, as they anticipate that managing tyre degradation will be key to achieving a strong result.
Fri 2 Oct · 11:54 UTC
via F1iMax Verstappen and Charles Leclerc lead in SepangMax Verstappen of Red Bull Racing and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari topped the timesheets during the opening days of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend in Sepang. Their performances have set the stage for an exciting qualifying session ahead.
Fri 2 Oct · 11:07 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.+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via F1iCharles Leclerc fastest in Bahrain Grand Prix FP2Charles Leclerc of Ferrari recorded the fastest time in the second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The session highlighted struggles for the Mercedes team, which failed to match the pace set by Leclerc.+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 09:23 UTC
via Motorsport WeekCharles Leclerc leads second practice in BahrainCharles Leclerc of Ferrari topped the second free practice session for the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang Circuit. This session is part of the 2026 season.
+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 09:07 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.Fri 2 Oct · 09:06 UTC
via PlanetF1Charles 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.
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via f1oversteer.comCharles 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.+ 2 moreFri 2 Oct · 09:00 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.Fri 2 Oct · 09:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc test rare Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale at FioranoLewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc recently conducted a track test of the limited-edition Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale at Fiorano. This super GT is powered by a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine that delivers 830 horsepower, and it features a unique Manuale-By-Wire system that enhances the driving experience with a manual gearbox feel.
During the test, Leclerc was the first to drive, with Hamilton as his passenger. Both drivers expressed their enjoyment of the car, with Leclerc praising Hamilton's calm demeanor and Hamilton describing the experience as 'fantastico'. The test video has garnered significant attention online, highlighting the excitement surrounding this new Ferrari model.Fri 2 Oct · 08:05 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.+ 8 more
via RacingNews3652026 Bahrain Grand Prix Free Practice 1 resultsThe Free Practice 1 session for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix took place at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Full results from the session have been released, detailing the performance of all participating teams and drivers.+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 03:25 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton snubbed as Emerson Fittipaldi picks Oscar Piastri among his five favourite F1 driversEmerson Fittipaldi believes Ferrari have two “strong drivers” in Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, but neither rank among the Brazilian’s favourites on the 2026 grid. ...Thu 1 Oct · 20:00 UTCPage 1 of 14