George RussellMax VerstappenOscar Piastri 
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 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 RacingNews365Oscar Piastri hopeful McLaren 'takes its turn' in jumbled Sepang pecking orderOscar Piastri expressed his hope that McLaren could take its turn at the top of the pecking order during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang. After a mixed performance in Free Practice 1 and 2, where McLaren showed improvement, Piastri noted the competitiveness among the top teams, including Red Bull and Ferrari.
Piastri highlighted that McLaren's performance in Free Practice 2 was better than in the first session, where they struggled. He acknowledged the close competition among the top four teams and expressed optimism about continuing their upward trend as they prepare for the race.RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 21:00 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 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
via Motorsport.comF1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watchMax Verstappen achieved pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, dominating the qualifying sessions. His final lap placed him ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who will start second. Isack Hadjar initially qualified third but will face a five-place grid penalty, promoting Andrea Kimi Antonelli to third on the grid.
The race is set for October 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM MYT, with weather conditions expected to be hot and humid, along with the possibility of thunderstorms. Sky Sports will broadcast the event in the UK, while Apple TV will offer free streaming in the United States. The Sepang circuit's challenging surface and weather conditions will require teams to strategise effectively.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 17:13 UTC
via PlanetF1Oscar Piastri spots ‘unpredictable’ Malaysia curveball in McLaren progress updateOscar Piastri, the McLaren driver, is looking forward to the possibility of racing in wet conditions during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. He highlighted the unpredictability of the new power units in rain, noting that the deployment of power is capped, which could affect performance. Piastri finished sixth in the second practice session, just behind his teammate Lando Norris, who was third.
Piastri has been working on adapting to the latest generation of Formula 1 cars and feels he is gradually finding a better setup. He mentioned that while the process is challenging, he is becoming more comfortable with the car's demands. The anticipation for rain adds an extra layer of excitement, as F1 has yet to experience wet weather this season despite several forecasts.
PlanetF1Fri 2 Oct · 17:02 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 PlanetF1Red Bull expresses wish for team orders with VerstappenRed Bull Racing has revealed a desire to implement team orders involving Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. The team decided against imposing such orders during the recent race in Baku.PlanetF1+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 14:37 UTC
via f1technical.net“We're struggling more than we'd like to," claims Norris after Sepang practice dayMcLaren made significant progress between the two Friday practice sessions at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris finishing third in FP2 and Oscar Piastri sixth as the team continued to unlock its package at Sepang.
f1technical.netFri 2 Oct · 13:33 UTC
via RacingNews365George Russell voices weakened Mercedes upgrade fear after ominous signsGeorge Russell has expressed concerns that Mercedes' latest aerodynamic upgrade is being compromised by extreme tyre overheating at the Sepang International Circuit during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite being second fastest in the first practice session, Russell's performance dropped to seventh in the second session, highlighting the difficulties faced by the W17 car under the unique conditions of the track.
The team brought significant upgrades, including a reworked floor and diffuser, but have struggled to achieve the expected performance gains. Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin noted that the team is facing challenges with tyre wear and balance, which have hindered their ability to extract the anticipated improvements from the new components. They are optimistic about making progress with setup changes and data analysis ahead of the race weekend.RacingNews365Fri 2 Oct · 13:20 UTC
via Motorsport.comWhy extremely rough Sepang was over four seconds slower than Pirelli's F1 simulationsDuring the Friday practice for the Formula 1 return to Malaysia, the Sepang circuit's abrasive surface caused significant issues, leading to lap times that were 4.5 seconds slower than Pirelli's qualifying simulations. The track began to break up, prompting the use of sweeper trucks to clear debris, which contributed to the low grip levels experienced by the teams.
Pirelli's chief engineer, Simone Berra, indicated that while the rough conditions would not pose safety risks, they would likely worsen during the race. Drivers like Charles Leclerc expressed challenges with the slippery track, suggesting that the evolving conditions could impact race strategy and performance, particularly in balancing car setup for qualifying and race stints.Motorsport.comFri 2 Oct · 12:57 UTC
via espn.comVerstappen: Russell winning title 'not impossible'Max Verstappen has stated that George Russell requires a significant improvement to have a chance at catching Kimi Antonelli in the world championship standings. Heading into the Bahrain Grand Prix, Russell is currently 66 points behind Antonelli, who has won eight races this season compared to Russell's three. Despite a strong performance in Azerbaijan, where Russell led every lap, the gap remains substantial.
Verstappen highlighted the challenges Russell faces, noting the differences in driving styles and the impact of new regulations on performance. He acknowledged Antonelli's exceptional talent and the difficulties rookies encounter with the current ground-effect cars. As the drivers prepare for the physically demanding conditions in Malaysia, both Russell and Antonelli will need to overcome their practice mistakes to improve their standings.
espn.comFri 2 Oct · 12:47 UTC
via thejudge13.comVerstappen reveals how he would reshape F1: “Make it a bit more logical”Max Verstappen has expressed his vision for reshaping Formula 1, suggesting significant changes to the sport's structure. He would use the current Formula 1 as a base but would implement more powerful engines and reduce the number of races and the length of race weekends to create a less demanding schedule.
Verstappen also highlighted the need for a more logical calendar, proposing a layout that starts in Europe and moves through Asia before returning via the United States. While he is not seeking a formal role in F1 governance, he has been vocal about the sport's evolution and maintains communication with F1 president Stefano Domenicali.
thejudge13.comFri 2 Oct · 12:18 UTC
via F1iBahrain Grand Prix chaos marked by rain and glitchesThe 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia experienced significant disruptions due to torrential rain and software glitches. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were notable performers throughout the weekend, showcasing their competitive edge during the qualifying sessions.
F1i+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 11:07 UTC%2FGettyImages-2298210625.webp&w=1200&q=70)
via Formula1.comMcLaren admits error in Bahrain Grand Prix strategyAndrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, acknowledged that the team made an incorrect judgement regarding their tyre strategy during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Lando Norris, who qualified sixth, found himself at the back of the pack shortly after the race began due to this miscalculation.
Formula1.com+ 1 moreFri 2 Oct · 10:53 UTC