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via Motorsport.comLewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc arrive at Sepang in matching sports saloonsYour Ferrari drivers don't usually disappoint us with what they drive to race weekends. Whether it be a classic Ferrari supercar or a Ducati superbike, it usually leaves us fans drooling with jealousy. This weekend in Malaysia was no different as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc arrived in matching sports saloons from Alfa Romeo. The Scuderia pair was spotted driving Alfa Romeo Giulia ... Keep reading
via gpfans.comVerstappen wins chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix for Red BullMax Verstappen secured Red Bull's first victory of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which featured a delayed start and significant grid confusion. Lewis Hamilton faced issues with his Ferrari during the formation lap, contributing to the race's unprecedented chaos.
via gpfans.comFIA confirm late Lewis Hamilton Ferrari change at Bahrain Grand PrixThe FIA has confirmed that Ferrari made a late change to Lewis Hamilton's car during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, specifically replacing the low pressure fuel pump in his SF-26. Hamilton will start the race from second position at the Sepang International Circuit, with this modification being one of several adjustments made to various cars during parc ferme after qualifying.
In total, nine cars underwent changes, with notable adjustments including new driver's cockpit windshields for McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Aston Martin also made several modifications to Lance Stroll's AMR26. All changes were conducted with the approval of the FIA technical delegate, adhering to the 2026 Formula One Sporting Regulations.
via f1technical.netLeclerc explains why he "started losing some performance from Q2" in Sepang qualifyingCharles Leclerc qualified fourth for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, while Lewis Hamilton secured second place and Max Verstappen took pole position. Leclerc admitted to struggling with rear-end instability during Q3, which affected his performance after he had already noticed a decline in Q2. Despite this, he acknowledged that Ferrari had improved compared to their final practice session.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur expressed satisfaction with the qualifying results, highlighting Hamilton's strong lap and Leclerc's potential for a better time. Vasseur emphasized that race strategy and tyre management would be more important than grid positions, especially given the extreme temperatures expected during the race. Leclerc is the only driver to have run on hard tyres at Sepang, which could provide Ferrari with a strategic advantage.
via RacingNews365How Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton turned the tables on exposed MercedesMax Verstappen achieved his first pole position of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, showcasing Red Bull's strong performance at the Sepang International Circuit. Lewis Hamilton qualified second, demonstrating the competitiveness of Ferrari, while Mercedes faced challenges, with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell starting fourth and eighth respectively.
The qualifying session highlighted ongoing issues for Mercedes, who struggled to integrate a significant upgrade package. This marked the first time this season that no Mercedes car made it into the top three, raising concerns about the timing of their development changes and their impact on performance.
via f1technical.net"I felt really at ease with the car," claims Bortoleto after strong Sepang qualifyingGabriel Bortoleto expressed confidence in his performance after qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where he reached Q3 for the first time since Zandvoort. He achieved a lap time of 1:37.673, placing him 10th on the grid, but will start from ninth due to grid penalties for other drivers. Bortoleto credited the Audi team for their upgrades and the car's improved performance.
Nico Hülkenberg faced disappointment after a lock-up in Q1 prevented him from advancing, resulting in a 17th place finish, though he will start 15th due to penalties for others. Both drivers are optimistic about their chances in the race, with Bortoleto aiming for points and Hülkenberg looking to capitalize on potential opportunities from his starting position.
via gpfans.comLewis Hamilton's Malaysia fury over 'unacceptable' engine failureLewis Hamilton expressed his anger over an engine failure during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, which he deemed 'unacceptable'. This incident occurred on October 2, marking the ten-year anniversary of a significant retirement in his career. The failure, attributed to a big-end bearing issue, happened on Lap 41, leaving Hamilton frustrated as he was in a strong position to challenge for the championship against his teammate Nico Rosberg.
After the race, Hamilton demanded answers from Mercedes, questioning why he was the only driver experiencing engine failures despite having multiple engines available. He suggested that someone did not want him to win, although he clarified that he was not accusing anyone at Mercedes. The team's technical chief, Paddy Lowe, refuted claims of sabotage, stating that if they could arrange such failures, they would not have any at all.
via Motorsport.comFerrari’s Vigna on Vasseur and fake news: “There is only one reality”Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has publicly supported team principal Fred Vasseur amid growing speculation about his position. Vigna highlighted the need to distinguish between verified facts and unverified opinions, especially in the age of social media, where misinformation can spread rapidly. He recounted an incident where he encountered false claims about his relationship with Vasseur while dining together, underscoring the disconnect between reality and rumour.
Vigna acknowledged that Ferrari's performance this season has not met expectations and admitted that their rivals have done a better job. He stressed the importance of focusing on improving the car rather than succumbing to external pressures from speculation. By addressing the situation directly, Vigna believes they have successfully quelled the rumours surrounding Vasseur, allowing the team to concentrate on their technical challenges.
via espn.comGeorge Russell calls Saturday toughest for MercedesGeorge Russell stated that Mercedes faced its most challenging Saturday of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. The team struggled with pace despite introducing a significant upgrade aimed at addressing its performance issues.
via RacingNews365Honda send clear message as Aston Martin smash through stumbling blockHonda's trackside general manager Shintaro Orihara acknowledged Aston Martin's achievement of getting both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll into Q2 during the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying. This marked a significant milestone as it was the first time both drivers progressed beyond Q1 together this season, with Alonso starting from P12 and Stroll from P14.
The result is particularly noteworthy given the challenges faced by Honda and Aston Martin in their first season as a works team. Orihara highlighted the importance of data analysis and preparation in achieving this result, which he described as a positive step forward amidst ongoing integration issues and performance shortfalls.
via RacingNews365Verstappen-Hamilton ‘flashback’ as Mercedes sufferMax Verstappen clinched his first pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season during qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. Lewis Hamilton joined him on the front row, benefiting from significant improvements made to the Ferrari SF-26, which finally performed well in qualifying.
Meanwhile, Mercedes struggled with their new upgrade package, leading to disappointing results. Aston Martin made a notable impact by achieving a double Q2 appearance, showcasing their progress in the competitive field. The Bahrain GP is set to take place on October 4, 2026.
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.
via f1oversteer.comHamilton'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.
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.
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.
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.
via Motorsport.comMcLaren addresses Lando Norris' straightline speed issueMcLaren team principal Andrea Stella has explained the ongoing straightline speed deficit experienced by Lando Norris during the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying. This issue has been evident for two consecutive weekends, with Norris expressing disappointment over his performance compared to team-mate Oscar Piastri.
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.
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.
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.Page 2 of 72