George RussellMax VerstappenDavid CoulthardBob SaidLewis Hamilton 
via Motorsport.comGeorge Russell calls for FIA to enforce cooling vestsMercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has suggested that the FIA should mandate the use of cooling vests during hot races to protect teams from themselves. His comments have sparked discussion about driver safety and the measures needed in extreme temperatures.
Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 13:03 UTC
via f1oversteer.comRUMOURHamilton's Bahrain qualifying lap impresses punditsLewis Hamilton's second-place finish in Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying has been described as a 'massive mic drop' moment, particularly in light of ongoing Ferrari rumours. David Coulthard noted that Hamilton's performance was remarkable, placing him alongside Max Verstappen on the front row for the race.
f1oversteer.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 13:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comKimi Antonelli reacts to Bahrain GP P3 starting positionKimi Antonelli expressed surprise after learning he will start the Bahrain Grand Prix from third position. The Mercedes driver struggled during qualifying, finishing five-tenths behind polesitter Max Verstappen.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:58 UTC
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton lays out Ferrari F1 battle plan to win Bahrain Grand PrixLewis Hamilton has shared his strategy for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, where he will start from second on the grid, just behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen. He highlighted the importance of not getting drawn into a race that does not suit his Ferrari car, particularly due to its straight line speed disadvantage compared to Red Bull.
Hamilton noted that while Ferrari may have an edge in low-speed corners, the key to success will be managing tyre degradation. He expressed the need to balance pushing through corners to compensate for losses on straights while ensuring the tyres do not overheat. Despite acknowledging Verstappen's pace advantage, Hamilton remains determined to compete effectively during the race.
gpfans.comSat 3 Oct · 12:54 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 BBC Sport'Incredible' Red Bull upgrade enlivens F1 in 'roasting hot' MalaysiaMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the weekend. Lewis Hamilton, starting from second, expressed concerns about Verstappen's pace, recalling their intense rivalry from previous seasons. Red Bull's recent upgrades have significantly improved their car's performance, allowing Verstappen to take the lead in qualifying.
Isack Hadjar, who missed the first three races after an injury, noted a marked improvement in the car's handling since his return. Meanwhile, Mercedes faced challenges with their new aerodynamic upgrade, struggling to find the right balance on the demanding Sepang track. Kimi Antonelli, starting from third, highlighted the importance of strategy and track position for the upcoming race, particularly in the hot conditions expected.
BBC SportSat 3 Oct · 12:25 UTC
via RaceFans“This and golf are probably the two most frustrating fricking sports” – Hamilton | Formula 1Lewis Hamilton expressed his feelings about Formula 1 and golf, calling them two of the most frustrating sports. Despite the challenges he has faced this season, he was elated to achieve his second front row start in 2026, with his previous one being at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, which he won.
Hamilton noted that while he was second in the championship just four rounds ago, his points deficit to leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli has now more than doubled to over 100 points. He reflected on the season as a trying one but highlighted that there have been many positives and good days throughout.
RaceFansSat 3 Oct · 12:19 UTC
via Motorsport.comHamilton calls Bahrain qualifying his best of 2026Lewis Hamilton described his front-row qualifying performance for the Bahrain Grand Prix as the 'best lap' of his 2026 Formula 1 season. He expressed surprise at achieving this position alongside Max Verstappen, noting that the Mercedes car felt great.Motorsport.com+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:10 UTC
via Sky Sports F1Hamilton and Verstappen set for Bahrain Grand Prix duelLewis Hamilton expressed excitement about the prospect of a competitive race against Max Verstappen at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Both drivers will start from the front row, heightening anticipation for a thrilling showdown.
Sky Sports F1Sat 3 Oct · 12:00 UTC
via Motorsport.comMax Verstappen takes pole position in Bahrain Grand PrixMax Verstappen secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, marking the first non-Mercedes-powered pole in recent history. Lewis Hamilton expressed excitement about the potential for an intense race, highlighting the importance for Ferrari to focus on their own performance.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 12:00 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 drivers criticise chaotic Bahrain Grand PrixFormula 1 drivers have described the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia as 'horrible' and 'totally unacceptable' following a series of issues during the race. The event, which featured a delayed start and challenging wet conditions, has drawn widespread criticism from fans and participants alike.gpfans.com+ 3 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:57 UTC
via Motorsport.comVerstappen praises Red Bull's improvements after poleMax Verstappen has acknowledged significant improvements in the Red Bull car after securing pole position in Malaysia. This comes less than a month after he described the car as 'made of paper' due to concerns over its degradation during the Monza qualifying.Motorsport.com+ 1 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:56 UTC
via PlanetF1Lewis Hamilton credits Ferrari set-up change for front rowLewis Hamilton achieved a front-row start at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia after a last-minute set-up adjustment to his Ferrari SF-26. He noted that this change helped unlock additional pace, despite a 0.4-second deficit compared to the fastest time.PlanetF1+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:44 UTC
via F1i‘I’m ready’: Verstappen sets sights on long-awaited 2026 winMax Verstappen has finally put himself in the perfect position to end his long wait for a 2026...
F1iSat 3 Oct · 11:38 UTC
via CrashMax Verstappen to race against Valentino Rossi in GT3Max Verstappen will compete alongside Valentino Rossi for the first time in a GT3 race at Portimao. The four-time Formula 1 champion expressed his hope to avoid an on-track battle with the MotoGP legend during the event.Crash+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 11:31 UTC
via gpfans.comF1 confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi races will proceedFormula One CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that the final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead as scheduled. This decision comes despite ongoing conflicts in the region and follows the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races.gpfans.com+ 2 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:57 UTC
via CrashLewis Hamilton reveals how Ferrari “hit the sweet spot” with late F1 car changes in Bahrain GP qualifyingLewis Hamilton expressed his surprise and gratitude after qualifying second for the Bahrain Grand Prix, attributing his improved performance to late set-up changes made by Ferrari. He noted that these adjustments helped the team find the right balance, allowing him to close the gap to Max Verstappen, who secured pole position.
Hamilton highlighted the challenges posed by the hot conditions in Malaysia, which affected tyre performance. He acknowledged the difficulty of achieving the right car balance and praised the efforts of his mechanics and engineers. Hamilton's qualifying result marks a significant improvement for Ferrari, who had struggled with pace earlier in the weekend.CrashSat 3 Oct · 10:53 UTC
via PlanetF1Max Verstappen claims Red Bull's breakthrough at SepangMax Verstappen secured pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, marking his first pole since the end of the 2025 season. He attributed this achievement to Red Bull's recent development efforts, stating that the team has successfully addressed previous weaknesses.PlanetF1+ 5 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:51 UTC
via racer.comMercedes upgrades fail to improve W17 performanceMercedes' recent upgrades to the W17 Formula One car did not yield the expected performance boost during qualifying at the Sepang circuit. Team principal Toto Wolff expressed confusion over the car's struggles, as both drivers failed to secure a top-three position.
racer.com+ 6 moreSat 3 Oct · 10:50 UTC
via racer.com1 videoFive years on from the Abu Dhabi debacle, Verstappen and Hamilton are sharing the front row againMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. His impressive lap time placed him nearly three-tenths of a second ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who qualified in second place for Ferrari.
Isack Hadjar qualified third, while Kimi Antonelli, the current title leader, secured fourth in his Mercedes. Charles Leclerc completed the top five, finishing half a second slower than Verstappen's leading time.racer.comSat 3 Oct · 13:17 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 RaceFansHaas admit set-up mistake on Bearman’s car made one session a “total waste of time” | Formula 1Haas has acknowledged that a set-up error on Oliver Bearman's car rendered his second practice session at Sepang ineffective. Bearman reported that the car was performing adequately in the first practice session, but the incorrect adjustments made for FP2 resulted in a significant struggle, leading him to describe the session as a "total waste of time."
As a result of the set-up mistake, Bearman finished 16th in the second practice, three-tenths of a second slower than his teammate Esteban Ocon. The lack of valuable data from FP2 has left Bearman at a disadvantage heading into the rest of the weekend, particularly as it was his first time racing at the Sepang circuit.RaceFansSat 3 Oct · 10:29 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