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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.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen secures pole position in SepangMax Verstappen achieved pole position during the first Formula 1 qualifying session in Malaysia in eight years. The session took place in Sepang, where Verstappen topped the timesheets amid soaring temperatures.
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen leads first practice in MalaysiaMax Verstappen recorded the fastest time in the first practice session at the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The Red Bull driver outpaced George Russell, setting a strong tone for the weekend.
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen's Sepang answer has F1 fans falling for him all over againMax Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver, provided a humorous response when asked about preparing for the heat at Sepang, stating he had undergone 'intense preparation' but mostly relied on his experience. He compared the conditions to those in Monaco and suggested that spending time in a sauna could help acclimatise to the heat.
Fans reacted positively to Verstappen's candidness, finding him relatable and down-to-earth. Despite his laid-back attitude, he remains passionate about racing and aims to secure at least one win before the season concludes, while acknowledging the competitive edge of Mercedes on various circuits.
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.
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.
via Motorsport.comThe sim rig Max Verstappen swears by ahead of his GT3 race against RossiMax Verstappen is preparing for his upcoming GT World Challenge Europe race against Valentino Rossi, scheduled for October 17 at Portimao. Verstappen will drive the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3, taking over for drivers who are competing in another championship that weekend. He has not driven a GT3 car since the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May, making this a significant return to the track.
To prepare, Verstappen relies on a static sim rig, which he believes allows for faster lap times compared to motion rigs. His setup includes high-end components and is valued at an estimated $25,000 to $35,000. Verstappen's commitment to sim racing is evident, as he logs more hours on his rig than many competitors do in actual GT3 cars, showcasing his dedication to mastering multiple forms of motorsport.
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. ...
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 ...
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.
via RacingNews365Max Verstappen signals greatest Red Bull desire as drought continuesMax Verstappen is seeking his first victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season after finishing second in Baku, extending his winless streak to 15 races. Despite a series of podium finishes, Red Bull has struggled to keep pace with rivals, currently sitting fourth in the constructors' standings behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.
Verstappen, who is sixth in the drivers' standings, acknowledged the team's challenges but remains determined to secure a win this season. He noted that recent upgrades to the car showed promise in Baku, although he is cautious about their effectiveness on different circuits. With Mercedes dominating the season, Verstappen's focus is on learning and improving as the year progresses.
via PlanetF1Hamilton 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.
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen laughs off Malaysian heat concerns: "Months of preparation to not give an F!"Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver, has expressed his ambition to secure a victory in the 2026 season, despite finishing on the podium in six of the last eight races. He recalls his last win at the Sepang International Circuit in 2017 and acknowledges the challenges posed by the Malaysian heat and rough track conditions, which can lead to significant tyre degradation.
Verstappen dismissed concerns about the heat, stating he had undergone months of preparation and is accustomed to racing in hot conditions. He also mentioned that Mercedes' upcoming upgrade could complicate Red Bull's chances of winning, but he remains focused on performing well and validating the effectiveness of their recent upgrades at different circuits.
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc calls for Ferrari upgrades to competeCharles Leclerc has urged Ferrari to implement upgrades to enhance their competitiveness against Red Bull Racing. He highlighted that the team's challenges extend beyond engine performance, indicating a need for broader improvements.
via f1oversteer.comMax Verstappen reveals what he's had to ‘accept’ at Red Bull amid Mercedes' dominance this seasonMax Verstappen has expressed his acceptance of Red Bull's current struggles in the 2026 Formula 1 season, acknowledging that he cannot compete for the championship this year. With only eight races left, he risks finishing the season without a win, a situation he hasn't faced since his rookie year in 2015. He has had to settle for second place multiple times, sharing the record for the most second-place finishes with George Russell.
In a recent podcast appearance, Verstappen reflected on the challenges of not being in title contention, likening it to his early years in the sport. He remains focused on improving the team's performance and aims to return to competitive form next season. Verstappen's commitment to Red Bull is evident as he signed a new contract, while the team seeks stability in their driver line-up to regain their competitive edge.
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.
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.
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.
via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton hands Ferrari F1 boss Fred Vasseur strongest show of support yetLewis Hamilton has expressed strong support for Ferrari's team principal Fred Vasseur amidst ongoing speculation about his future. Hamilton praised Vasseur as the right leader to guide the team, especially after recent comments from Christian Horner that stirred media attention and frustration within Ferrari. Vasseur's leadership has contributed to the team's current position of second in the constructors' championship, a significant improvement from the previous year.
Hamilton highlighted the negativity surrounding Ferrari compared to other teams, noting that mistakes are scrutinised more heavily due to the team's iconic status. While he sees potential for structural changes within Ferrari, he chose to keep his specific ideas private, acknowledging the differences in leadership styles between Ferrari and his own team, Mercedes.
via AutosportLewis Hamilton supports Fred Vasseur amid speculationLewis Hamilton has expressed strong support for Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Fred Vasseur, stating he is the right person to lead the team. This endorsement comes amid ongoing speculation regarding Vasseur's future with Ferrari.Page 8 of 65



