via f1oversteer.comToto Wolff saw something for the ‘first time’ as Max Verstappen destroyed Kimi Antonelli at SepangDuring qualifying for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, Max Verstappen of Red Bull achieved pole position, marking his first of the season. He outpaced Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton, with Antonelli finishing third and Hamilton second. Wolff expressed surprise at the significant performance gap, attributing it to Mercedes' struggles with drag and understeer despite introducing a new aerodynamic upgrade package.
Wolff highlighted that the team's expectations for the upgrades did not align with the actual performance observed during qualifying. Antonelli had previously topped practice sessions, leading to high hopes for the race weekend. However, the qualifying results revealed a disappointing outcome for Mercedes, prompting Wolff to call for a thorough analysis to understand the discrepancies and improve their performance moving forward.
f1oversteer.comSat 3 Oct · 10:00 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'.
RacingNews365+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:50 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen reflects on Bahrain GP start issuesMax Verstappen described the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix as "very hectic" due to a temporary loss of power that affected his getaway. The four-time Formula 1 champion secured his first win of the season with Red Bull, marking a significant achievement for the team.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:26 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+ 7 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 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.
Motorsport.comSat 3 Oct · 08:58 UTC
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on Malaysia front rowMax Verstappen of Red Bull Racing and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes will start on the front row for the Formula 1 race in Malaysia, marking the first event in the country in nine years. Aston Martin also made headlines during qualifying, achieving a significant result this season.RacingNews365+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 08:31 UTC
via CrashMercedes drivers lack cooling vests in MalaysiaGeorge Russell and Lewis Hamilton will not use cooling vests during the Malaysian Grand Prix due to restrictions imposed by Formula 1's cost cap. The extreme heat conditions have led the FIA to declare the event a heat hazard.
Crash+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 07:59 UTC
via PlanetF1Bahrain Grand Prix starting grid confirmed for 2026The official starting order for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix has been released, detailing the grid positions for the race at the Sepang International Circuit. Teams and drivers are now set for the competition as they prepare for the event on Sunday, October 4.PlanetF1+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 07:43 UTC
via gpfans.comMax Verstappen secures pole position in Bahrain qualifyingMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. His impressive lap time placed him ahead of his competitors, setting the stage for the race.
gpfans.com+ 7 moreSat 3 Oct · 06:58 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 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 racer.comKimi Antonelli leads Mercedes in Bahrain final practiceKimi Antonelli set the fastest time in final practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix, placing Mercedes at the top of the order. The championship leader outpaced Max Verstappen of Red Bull, showcasing a strong performance ahead of the race.
racer.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 05:42 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 gpfans.comF1 Standings at the Bahrain Grand Prix: Crucial for Russell, last chance for Lewis Hamilton?As the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix approaches, Kimi Antonelli holds a commanding lead in the drivers' standings with 302 points, followed by George Russell at 236 points. Russell's recent win in Azerbaijan has reignited his title hopes, but he faces significant pressure to perform in Bahrain to close the gap on his teammate.
Lewis Hamilton, currently in third place with 199 points, is in a precarious position as he is 103 points behind Antonelli. The Constructors' Championship sees Mercedes firmly in front with 538 points, significantly ahead of Ferrari, which has 378 points. The upcoming race is crucial for both Russell and Hamilton as they seek to improve their standings.gpfans.comSat 3 Oct · 03:30 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 thejudge13.comMercedes struggles with W17 upgrade at SepangMercedes has introduced a significant aerodynamic upgrade for the W17 at the Sepang circuit, aiming to enhance performance. However, the team faced challenges during Friday practice, with the expected improvements not immediately apparent.
thejudge13.com+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 20:10 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.comGeorge Russell left "lost for words" by Malaysian F1 fans’ special giftGeorge Russell, the Mercedes driver, was deeply moved when Malaysian fans presented him with a handmade scrapbook ahead of Formula 1's return to Sepang. The scrapbook, created by a group known as 'Team GR63, Malaysia', features handwritten messages, drawings, and photographs, showcasing the support from local fans.
In a video shared by the team, Russell expressed his gratitude and astonishment at the thoughtful gift, stating that it left him 'lost for words'. The gesture highlighted the significance of Mercedes' return to Malaysia after nearly a decade, providing Russell with a boost of encouragement as he prepared for the race weekend.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 18:44 UTC