Franco ColapintoGeorge RussellLando Norris 
via AutosportMcLaren addresses Lando Norris's straight-line speed issuesLando Norris has experienced a recurring straight-line speed deficit in his McLaren MCL40, which has been particularly evident in recent races. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the team is investigating the underlying issues affecting Norris's performance compared to his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Autosport+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:49 UTC
via CrashLance Stroll receives double warning in Bahrain qualifyingLance Stroll has been issued two warnings for driving too slowly during the qualifying session at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The decision was confirmed by the stewards following an investigation into the incidents.
Crash+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:46 UTC
via PlanetF1Verstappen responds to Russell's complaints about heatMax Verstappen has dismissed George Russell's concerns regarding the extreme heat at the Sepang circuit, suggesting Russell is 'making a fuss'. Russell had highlighted Mercedes' decision not to develop a better cooling vest due to budget cap restrictions.
PlanetF1+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:40 UTC
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'.RacingNews365+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:50 UTC
via RaceFansMercedes questions effectiveness of Bahrain GP upgradesToto Wolff has expressed confusion over the performance of Mercedes' latest upgrade package after the Bahrain Grand Prix, suggesting it may have hindered rather than improved the team's competitiveness. Andrea Kimi Antonelli also acknowledged uncertainty about whether the upgrades made the car faster or slower, as the team struggled during qualifying.
RaceFans+ 4 moreSat 3 Oct · 09:38 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 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 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 RacingNews365Mercedes questions W17 upgrade after Bahrain strugglesMercedes is left questioning the effectiveness of its latest aerodynamic upgrade to the W17 following a challenging performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. George Russell described the situation as a 'big question mark' as the team struggled to replicate the pace shown in previous practice sessions.RacingNews365+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 04:00 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 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
via f1oversteer.comJuan Pablo Montoya heard Max Verstappen say something about George Russell that he ‘never’ likes toJuan Pablo Montoya thinks Max Verstappen saw George Russell “in a different light” for the first time in the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix given his ...
f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 17:00 UTC
via gpfans.comThe bizarre reason F1 star George Russell will race in a 60C ‘oven’ at Bahrain Grand PrixGeorge Russell will compete in the Bahrain Grand Prix without a cooling vest, facing extreme temperatures expected to reach 60C inside his Mercedes cockpit. This decision comes as Mercedes reallocates resources due to the constraints of Formula 1's cost cap regulations, which limit team spending to $215 million in 2026.
Russell highlighted the challenges of racing in such heat, recalling his previous experience of dehydration during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix. He believes that the development of cooling vests should be exempt from the budget cap, arguing that all drivers should have access to this technology to ensure their safety and performance.gpfans.comFri 2 Oct · 16:45 UTC
via f1oversteer.comCarlos Sainz admits ‘desire will shift’ away from Williams if he never gets what George Russell hasCarlos Sainz has always maintained that he is happy to see his future at Williams, but now it seems the love affair is conditional for ...f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 16:30 UTC
via f1oversteer.comKimi Antonelli highlights Mercedes W17 weaknessesKimi Antonelli has pointed out a significant shortcoming in the Mercedes W17, raising concerns about the team's recent upgrade following the Bahrain Grand Prix. Mercedes experienced difficulties during the event, struggling to integrate their aerodynamic improvements effectively.f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 16:00 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+ 3 moreFri 2 Oct · 15:22 UTC
via f1oversteer.comLando Norris just did something ‘no one else’ could at the Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaDuring the second practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Lando Norris achieved P3, showcasing a significant improvement from his earlier performance. Despite not having the fastest overall pace, Norris demonstrated the best long-run pace, which is crucial for the race strategy given the unique conditions of the Sepang track.
Norris' lap time of 1'44"727 was unmatched by his competitors, who all fell into the 1m 45s range. This performance, combined with McLaren's usual Friday pace and good tyre degradation, positions Norris as a strong contender for a podium finish in the upcoming race.f1oversteer.comFri 2 Oct · 15:00 UTC