Charles LeclercIvan CapelliLewis Hamilton 
via f1oversteer.com22 videosCharles 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.
f1oversteer.com+ 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.
RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 09:00 UTC
via CrashLewis Hamilton under investigation over incident during F1 practice againLewis Hamilton is facing an investigation for blocking Gabriel Bortoleto during the second practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The incident occurred when Hamilton was on the racing line and failed to see Bortoleto approaching, leading to the Audi driver expressing his frustration over the radio.
This marks the third consecutive weekend where Hamilton has been involved in similar blocking incidents, having previously received a reprimand for impeding Liam Lawson in Azerbaijan. Hamilton attributed the incidents to challenges posed by the new engine regulations and mentioned difficulties with visibility in his car.
CrashFri 2 Oct · 08:45 UTC
via RacingNews365FIA imposes double penalty on Lewis Hamilton at Bahrain GPThe FIA has confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will face a double penalty following an investigation into an incident at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The penalties total 15 grid places, significantly impacting Hamilton's starting position for the race.RacingNews365+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 08:38 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.
Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 08:05 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton on brink of penalty heading into Bahrain Grand PrixLewis Hamilton is facing a potential grid penalty as he has exhausted all seven power unit components available for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The FIA's report indicates that Hamilton, along with Max Verstappen, is on the edge of needing a replacement part, with Hamilton's situation being particularly critical as he has no components left to spare.
As the Bahrain Grand Prix approaches, three drivers, Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto, and Arvid Lindblad, will incur grid penalties for exceeding their engine allocations. Hadjar and Colapinto will only change their Internal Combustion Engines, while Lindblad will also replace his Turbo Charger and Exhaust, resulting in a significant drop to the back of the grid.
gpfans.comFri 2 Oct · 07:43 UTC
via gpfans.comRUMOURVasseur defends Ferrari amid speculation over his futureFred Vasseur has addressed ongoing speculation regarding his role as Ferrari's team principal, stating that the team remains unified. He emphasised the need to stop the noise and rumours surrounding his position, while also receiving support from figures like Lewis Hamilton.gpfans.com+ 6 moreFri 2 Oct · 06:58 UTC
via PlanetF1Franco Colapinto faces 15-place grid penalty in BahrainFranco Colapinto of Alpine has been handed a total of 15 grid places in penalties for the upcoming Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. This includes a five-place drop for taking a new Mercedes V6 engine, alongside additional penalties confirmed by the FIA.
PlanetF1+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 06:30 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.Motorsport.com+ 8 moreFri 2 Oct · 05:38 UTC
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.RacingNews365+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 03:25 UTC
via RaceFansOn This Day: Hamilton suffers title blow as Ricciardo wins Malaysian GP | BriefOn October 2, 2016, Daniel Ricciardo claimed victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, a race that significantly impacted the championship standings. Nico Rosberg, the championship leader at the time, was involved in an incident on the first lap with Sebastian Vettel, which altered the dynamics of the race.
Lewis Hamilton, who was in a strong position to reduce Rosberg's points lead, faced a major setback when his Mercedes power unit failed. This mechanical issue left Hamilton with a challenging road ahead in the remaining races of the season, prompting him to voice his concerns about the situation.
RaceFansThu 1 Oct · 23:01 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. ...f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 20:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard hails Max Verstappen for showing a Michael Schumacher trait Lewis Hamilton lacksDavid Coulthard thinks Max Verstappen is the “benchmark” driver on the 2026 F1 grid because he shares one trait with Michael Schumacher that Lewis Hamilton ...f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 19:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comForget Ollie Bearman, Ferrari must look at Fred Vasseur favourite to be Lewis Hamilton’s successorOliver Bearman, who has been seen as a potential successor to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, faces increasing competition from Rafael Camara. With Hamilton likely to remain at Ferrari until at least 2028 and Charles Leclerc's new contract, Bearman's chances of joining the team are diminishing. He will continue with Haas in 2027, but the arrival of Camara could complicate his future prospects.
Camara, a Ferrari-backed driver, is currently battling for the Formula 2 title and has shown impressive pace in testing. With Esteban Ocon leaving Haas, Camara is expected to replace him, which could threaten Bearman's position. If Camara performs well, he may fast-track his way to Ferrari, leaving Bearman in a precarious situation regarding his career trajectory.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 18:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comFerrari told Lewis Hamilton is the only driver in F1 who has to make one complaint on the radioFerrari has been informed that Lewis Hamilton is the only Formula 1 driver who consistently makes complaints over the radio, particularly regarding battery deployment strategies. Jamie Chadwick observed that during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton was vocal in requesting different energy deployment, highlighting a potential issue with Ferrari's hybrid system optimisation compared to rivals like Mercedes.
Chadwick pointed out that while Ferrari may have the best chassis on the grid, they struggle with engine performance, which Hamilton has estimated to be around four-tenths slower per lap. Both Hamilton and Ferrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, have acknowledged that the team's execution during race weekends has not met title-winning standards, contributing to Hamilton's frustrations.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 16:30 UTC
via PlanetF1RUMOURHamilton grilled on Vasseur future, double Bahrain GP penalty imminent – roundupLewis Hamilton has expressed his belief that Fred Vasseur has the full backing of Ferrari amid speculation about Vasseur's future with the team. Ferrari has publicly stated their confidence in Vasseur, who may face changes at the end of the 2026 season.
In other news, the FIA is set to confirm penalties for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad both facing grid penalties. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll has highlighted a significant performance gap due to Honda's power issues, while Charles Leclerc's car was found compliant after a thorough inspection following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.PlanetF1Thu 1 Oct · 16:03 UTC
via PlanetF1FIA confirms Charles Leclerc findings after ‘extensive’ Ferrari inspectionThe FIA conducted an extensive inspection of Charles Leclerc's Ferrari following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, confirming that the car complied with the 2026 Formula One regulations. This inspection was part of the FIA's routine checks for top-10 finishers, and Leclerc's car was randomly selected for further examination.
Leclerc finished fourth in the race, while George Russell from Mercedes took the victory. After the race, Leclerc revealed that he had used the ADUO2 engine, which had raised questions after his crash at Monza. The FIA's checks focused on the internal combustion air intake cooling system and other components, all of which were found to meet the required standards.PlanetF1Thu 1 Oct · 13:05 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLewis Hamilton still needs to do one thing that made Michael Schumacher a 'part' of FerrariRalf Schumacher highlighted that Lewis Hamilton must learn Italian to truly integrate into Ferrari, similar to how his brother Michael Schumacher did. Michael's fluency in the language significantly contributed to his success and connection with the team, making him a beloved figure among the Tifosi.
Hamilton started learning Italian at the suggestion of Sebastian Vettel prior to his move to Ferrari. However, given the time it took Schumacher to master the language, it remains uncertain if Hamilton will achieve the same level of rapport with his engineers before potentially leaving the team, as he is contracted until 2027.f1oversteer.comThu 1 Oct · 12:30 UTC
via Motorsport.comDamon Hill comments on Ferrari's support for Fred VasseurDamon Hill has expressed concern over Ferrari's recent public backing of team principal Fred Vasseur, suggesting he needed his 'parents' to defend him. This statement follows a challenging season for Ferrari, prompting the team to reassure its staff and supporters.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 12:00 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRUMOURLeclerc criticises rumours about Vasseur's futureCharles Leclerc has described the speculation surrounding Fred Vasseur's position as Ferrari team principal as 'silly' and noted that he observed Ferrari employees engaging in behaviour that is 'not good'. Will Buxton also warned that replacing Vasseur with Christian Horner would be 'absolutely ludicrous'.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreThu 1 Oct · 11:00 UTC
via lightsoutblog.com2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Milestones and F1 Records Which Could Be BrokenThe 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, taking place at Sepang International Circuit, marks a significant return for Formula 1 to Malaysia after a nine-year hiatus. This race will be the 1,165th in World Championship history and the first time a country has hosted another country's F1 race since 2006. Notably, it is also the fourth F1 race ever held on October 4, with twelve drivers on the grid making their debut at this circuit.
Several records are on the line during the event, including Lando Norris aiming for his 50th podium finish, which would place him among the top British drivers. Lewis Hamilton could break the pole position record at Sepang, while Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso have a chance to match Felipe Massa's record for sixth place finishes. Additionally, a victory for Max Verstappen would mark his 11th consecutive season with a win, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.lightsoutblog.comThu 1 Oct · 10:56 UTC
via CrashLewis Hamilton defends Fred Vasseur amid Ferrari issuesLewis Hamilton has expressed his support for Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur while suggesting that criticism should be directed at higher management within the team. Hamilton's comments come as tensions grow around Ferrari's leadership and performance.Crash+ 2 moreThu 1 Oct · 09:56 UTC
via Formula1.comRUMOURHamilton condemns ‘negative narrative’ around VasseurLewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have publicly supported Fred Vasseur, Ferrari's Team Principal, amidst speculation regarding his future due to the team's recent performance. Hamilton condemned the negative narrative surrounding Vasseur, asserting that the team remains united and focused on their goals despite external pressures. He highlighted the hard work being done within the team and emphasized that Vasseur is the right leader for Ferrari.
Leclerc echoed Hamilton's sentiments, expressing trust in Vasseur's abilities and dismissing the ongoing rumours as disrespectful. Both drivers noted the improvements Ferrari has made this season, including their position in the Constructors' Championship, while acknowledging that challenges remain. They called for a focus on the team's efforts rather than external criticism.
Formula1.comThu 1 Oct · 09:47 UTC
via Motorsport WeekRUMOURCharles Leclerc defends Fred Vasseur amid speculationCharles Leclerc has publicly supported Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, dismissing ongoing rumours linking Christian Horner to the role. To avoid distractions from the speculation, Leclerc has deleted social media applications from his phone.
Motorsport Week+ 3 moreThu 1 Oct · 09:31 UTC