2026 F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia – Highlights and Reaction

Welcome to Total-Motorsport.com for live coverage of FP1 at the 2026 F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia, as Formula 1 returns to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017. The opening practice session begins at 12:30 local time on Friday, October 2, starting a weekend packed with unknowns for teams and drivers at one of Formula 1’s most demanding circuits.

Kimi Antonelli arrives in Malaysia leading the Drivers’ Championship for Mercedes, but his advantage over teammate George Russell has fallen to 66 points. Russell won last weekend’s Azerbaijan GP from pole while Antonelli recovered from 16th on the grid to fifth, tightening the title battle with eight rounds remaining.

Sepang presents an entirely different challenge after the narrow streets of Baku, combining long straights with fast direction changes, heavy braking zones and an abrasive surface. Heat, humidity and the possibility of tropical rain will add further uncertainty as the current generation of Formula 1 machinery runs at the circuit for the first time.

F1 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP1 LIVE: Latest Updates

---

CHEQUERED FLAG: Verstappen tops Free Practice 1

Max Verstappen looks as though he’s in the mix to fight for victory for a second successive Formula 1 weekend as the Red Bull driver tops Free Practice 1.

The 28-year-old led George Russell by 0.383s and it wasn’t particularly close either, with the Silver Arrows far away in Sector 1 and Sector 3 whilst 0.067s behind in Sector 2.

Is he the favourite for the win at the Sepang International Circuit or will Mercedes be able to refine their set-up amid their new upgrades in Southeast Asia?

Elsewhere there are big questions for Ferrari to consider with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton 0.847s and 1.070s off-the-pace and it’s the same story at McLaren.

Oscar Piastri is 1.756s behind Verstappen’s benchmark and Lando Norris is a further 0.017s behind.

Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:37.520
2	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.383
3	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	+0.783
4	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.847
5	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+1.060
6	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+1.070
7	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.195
8	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+1.586
9	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+1.677
10	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.691
11	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+1.756
12	Lando Norris	McLaren	+1.773
13	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+2.028
14	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+2.163
15	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+2.638
16	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+2.791
17	Alexander Albon	Williams	+2.801
18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+2.893
19	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+3.011
20	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+3.085
21	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+3.280
22	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3.300

5 minutes to go: Lance Stroll improves after securing Aston Martin future

Aston Martin will continue with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll for 2027, keeping the same driver pairing for a fifth consecutive season at the British team.

Both drivers have signed long-term extensions, although the team has not disclosed their exact contract lengths and the decision provides continuity as Aston Martin tries to recover from a difficult first season under the 2026 regulations.

The team currently sits 10th in the constructors’ championship with three points after 15 rounds – but is there a chance for points this weekend?

Alonso sits 14th overall whilst Stroll has just improved to 18th.

10 minutes to go: Ocon leads Bearman despite Formula 1 setback

Haas could benefit from having Esteban Ocon’s previous Sepang experience available as the team returns to Malaysia, even though it has confirmed that he will leave at the end of the season.

The Frenchman raced at Sepang in 2016 and 2017, scoring points in his final appearance there and that gives him valuable first-hand knowledge of the circuit’s demanding corners, heat, humidity and unpredictable weather.

That experience could help Haas understand how the track changes through a session and how its modern VF-26 compares with the conditions Ocon remembers from his previous visits.

And he’s currently around a tenth faster than teammate Ollie Bearman as the duo sit in 15th and 16th, behind Aston Martin.

15 minutes to go: Is Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s pace legit?

Red Bull has an especially strong history at Sepang, with the team winning four times at the Malaysian circuit across multiple generations of the team, highlighting how their engineering has traditionally suited the track.

Their first Malaysian victories came during its dominant early-2010s period, including a Sebastian Vettel led home a one-two in 2013 and the most recent victories came in back-to-back seasons.

Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen delivered a Red Bull another one-two finish in 2016, before the Dutchman won again in 2017 with Ricciardo third on that occasion.

Now with the 28-year-old Verstappen now leading FP1 in 2026 and teammate Isack Hadjar in third, is he the favourite to win on Sunday?

20 minutes to go: Verstappen still on top!

Despite Mercedes bringing upgrades to the Sepang International Circuit, it’s Max Verstappen and Red Bull leading the field 66% of the way in Free Practice 1.

The Dutchman’s 1:37.520s holds up well as he responds to the flurry of quickest laps set behind him, remaining around four tenths ahead of George Russell.

Ferrari thus far are looking as though they’re set for a difficult weekend with Charles Leclerc eight tenths off-the-pace once again.

Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:37.520
2	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.383
3	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	+0.783
4	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.847
5	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+1.060
6	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+1.070
7	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.195
8	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+1.586
9	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+1.677
10	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.691
11	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+1.756
12	Lando Norris	McLaren	+1.773
13	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+2.028
14	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+3.011
15	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+3.234
16	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+3.280
17	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3.300
18	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+3.446
19	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+3.895
20	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+4.159
21	Alexander Albon	Williams	+4.448
22	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+4.690

25 minutes to go: Russell gets it all wrong!

George Russell is pushing the limits of his upgraded Mercedes W17 already as the Formula 1 championship hopeful runs wide and off the track!

Fortunately there is no lasting consequences and he continues on his way, but it’s an indicator that the Brit already feels comfortable with pushing his upgraded W17.

Fernando Alonso also has a big lock-up and flat-spots his tyre for Aston Martin, on a weekend the team will be hoping to snag a point or two.

30 minutes to go: Grid penalties confirmed at Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Three drivers are currently set to face grid penalties for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia at Sepang. Franco Colapinto will take a 15-place drop after his Azerbaijan GP collision with teammate Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris and for new engine parts.

Isack Hadjar also faces a five-place penalty after exceeding his permitted power-unit allocation for Red Bull, and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad is set to start from the back of the grid after also fitting additional power-unit components.

Colapinto and Hadjar will need to recover positions immediately, while Lindblad faces the longest climb in Sunday’s race at the Sepang International Circuit.

35 minutes to go: What are Mercedes targeting with Sepang upgrades?

As mentioned, Mercedes has introduced a major aerodynamic package for the W17 at Sepang, with revised sidepods, floor components and bodywork aimed at improving airflow toward the rear of the car.

The priority is to add downforce without creating extra drag, while addressing some of the car’s weaker performance in slower corners and corner exits.

Mercedes also wants a wider setup window, allowing the W17 to remain effective across different circuit characteristics and conditions to shrug off Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren.

Kimi Antonelli has been told the package could be worth around three tenths per lap, although practice will determine whether that projected gain appears on track.

40 minutes to go: Russell nudges closer to Verstappen

Max Verstappen leads the way for Red Bull but Mercedes will be happy with their start as George Russell closes to be within 0.049s of the four-time world champion.

Mercedes are running upgrades at the Sepang International Circuit – along with a special livery design that pays tribute to their Petronas partner.

For the Silver Arrows, FP1 is as much about correlation than performance so to effectively be on the pace already is a very strong sign for their prospects.

Pos	Driver	Team	Time
1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:38.883
2	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.049
3	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+0.571
4	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	+0.737
5	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.903
6	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+1.198
7	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+1.446
8	Lando Norris	McLaren	+1.470
9	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+1.685
10	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+1.871
11	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+1.915
12	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.949
13	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+2.293
14	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+2.302

45 minutes to go: What to expect from Sepang?

The Sepang International Circuit is one of Formula 1’s most demanding venues, combining long straights with fast, flowing corners and heavy braking zones.

The 5.543-kilometer track is known for its wide layout and harsh track surface, which creates multiple overtaking opportunities and allows drivers to take different racing lines.

Whilst its tropical climate adds another challenge, with high temperatures, humidity and the possibility of sudden heavy rain giving drivers another factor to consider along with tyre management – also important because the circuit places significant loads through the corners.

The long Turn 12-to-15 sequence provide opportunities to attack into Turn 1 but in classic Tilke fashion, drivers then have the chance to fight back into Turn 1.

50 minutes to go: Max Verstappen leads the way so far

Max Verstappen posts the early benchmark with a 1:28.883 that’s good enough to clear Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari by over nine tenths of a second at Sepang!

Red Bull will be leaning on the Dutchman’s prior knowledge of Malaysia to perfect their set-up this weekend and they’re off to a good start as Isack Hadjar slots into third too.

Verstappen won the 2017 Malaysian GP, beating Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes by 12 seconds from third on the grid.

GREEN FLAG: Free Practice 1 begins at Sepang!

The green flag is waved and the Bahrain GP in Malaysia can officially begin, with cars keen to head out onto the circuit to gain some valuable data.

Formula 1 hasn’t been to Sepang since 2017 meaning there isn’t much of a reference for the competitors out there, although some names have experience.

Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz have been to Malaysia before.

Welcome to the Blog!

Thank you for joining us for coverage of the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, which offers a curveball this year as we head to the Sepang International Circuit.

The Iran War means it isn’t possible to race in the Middle East at the moment so the FIA and Formula 1 opted to move the event to Malaysia for a one-off instead.

And only a handful of drivers have raced here before, will they have an advantage?

Formula 1 returns to Sepang after nine years

Formula 1 has not raced at Sepang since 2017, making Friday’s opening hour considerably more important than a conventional FP1 session. The Bahrain GP was relocated to Malaysia for 2026, bringing Grand Prix racing back to a venue that first joined the championship in 1999.

Sepang measures 5.543km and features a mixture of fast sweeping corners, slower technical sections and two substantial straights. Its width encourages drivers to experiment with different racing lines, but the high-speed changes of direction place significant demands on both car balance and tyre management.

The lack of recent Formula 1 data makes Friday especially valuable because none of the current cars have previously competed at the circuit. Teams have relied heavily on simulation work, meaning FP1 will provide the first opportunity to compare those predictions with real track conditions.

More than half of the 2026 grid have also never raced a Formula 1 car at Sepang. That should make the opening laps particularly important as drivers learn braking references, kerbs and grip levels around a circuit many know only from simulators.

Antonelli looks to respond after difficult Baku weekend

Antonelli arrives at Sepang still firmly in control of the championship despite losing 15 points to Russell in Azerbaijan. His Baku weekend was compromised by a Q1 crash, although recovering from 16th to fifth ensured the damage to his championship advantage remained relatively limited.

The Italian leads with 302 points compared with Russell’s 236 and has won eight Grands Prix during an outstanding second Formula 1 season. Sepang now represents an opportunity to re-establish momentum after one of his least straightforward weekends of the campaign.

Antonelli has never raced at the Malaysian circuit, placing greater emphasis on the opening practice session. Building confidence through Sepang’s fast corners while understanding the abrasive surface will be central to his Friday programme.

The championship leader has also expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of rain during the weekend. Sepang’s wide circuit and porous surface could provide one of the first meaningful opportunities to assess the 2026 cars in genuinely wet Formula 1 conditions.

Russell arrives with renewed championship momentum

Russell produced one of his strongest weekends of the season in Azerbaijan, dominating Qualifying before resisting Max Verstappen to take victory. The result reduced his deficit to Antonelli from 81 points to 66 and revived a championship challenge that had appeared to be slipping away.

Confidence appears to have returned after a difficult middle part of the season in which Russell struggled to adapt his driving style consistently to the new-generation car. His performance in Baku suggested he has found a more comfortable operating window as Formula 1 enters the decisive final phase.

Sepang is another circuit Russell has never raced on in Formula 1, despite describing it as one of the tracks he enjoyed virtually when growing up. FP1 will therefore be his first opportunity to experience the real elevation changes, corner combinations and physical demands of the Malaysian venue.

The abrasive surface could prove more challenging for Mercedes than the relatively low-degradation conditions encountered in Azerbaijan. Russell has already highlighted tyre wear as an area that could become decisive if the weekend remains dry.

Verstappen targets first victory of 2026

Max Verstappen arrives at a circuit where he has already enjoyed Formula 1 success, having won the final Malaysian Grand Prix held at Sepang in 2017. The Red Bull Racing driver finished second in Baku and has shown improving form following the team’s recent upgrades.

Remarkably, the four-time world champion is still searching for his first victory of the 2026 season despite recording seven podium finishes. His recent performances in Madrid and Azerbaijan suggest Red Bull Racing may finally be closing some of the gap to Mercedes.

Sepang could offer a more representative test of that progress because its combination of high-speed corners and long straights demands a much broader performance window than Baku. FP1 should quickly reveal whether the RB22 can remain competitive across several different corner types.

Verstappen’s previous experience could also become an early advantage over many of his rivals. Although the cars and regulations have changed completely since 2017, familiarity with the circuit’s rhythm and braking references should still shorten the learning process.

Hadjar looks to build on Baku podium

Isack Hadjar produced an impressive third-place finish in Azerbaijan on his return after three races out with a wrist injury. The result completed a strong comeback weekend after technical problems had initially restricted his practice running.

Sepang will place different physical demands on the Frenchman because temperatures and humidity are expected to be significantly higher than in Baku. Driver cooling and hydration could therefore become important considerations throughout Friday.

The circuit’s rapid direction changes also place greater continuous load through the steering wheel than Azerbaijan’s stop-start layout. FP1 will provide Hadjar with an early indication of how comfortably his wrist handles those sustained forces.

A strong weekend from both Red Bull Racing drivers would strengthen the impression that the team’s recent development work is beginning to deliver. Sepang should provide one of the clearest tests yet of whether that improvement is circuit-specific or more fundamental.

Hamilton and Ferrari seek answer to Mercedes advantage

Lewis Hamilton returns to a circuit where he has won previously and shares the record for the most Formula 1 pole positions at Sepang. The Ferrari driver sits third in the championship but is now more than 100 points behind Antonelli.

Ferrari arrive second in the Constructors’ Championship after improving significantly compared with 2025, yet both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have acknowledged weaknesses remain. Straight-line performance and overall aerodynamic efficiency have been particular areas of focus as the team attempts to reduce the gap to Mercedes.

Sepang should expose weaknesses more comprehensively than many recent circuits because teams need efficiency on the straights without compromising stability through the faster corners. The combination makes the Malaysian venue an excellent benchmark for overall car performance.

FP1 will therefore be an important session for Ferrari as engineers assess whether the SF-26 can remain competitive across the entire lap. Strong early pace would raise hopes that Hamilton and Leclerc can challenge the Mercedes drivers throughout the weekend.

McLaren face unfamiliar Sepang challenge

Neither Lando Norris nor Oscar Piastri has previously raced a Formula 1 car at Sepang. That leaves McLaren among the teams facing the steepest learning curve when FP1 begins.

The reigning world champion endured a difficult Azerbaijan GP after becoming involved in the multi-car accident that also eliminated Pierre Gasly. Norris will be looking to rebound immediately at a circuit where the MCL40’s high-speed performance could become an important strength.

Piastri also arrives needing a cleaner weekend after finishing only 14th in Baku following a costly mistake. The Australian has described Sepang’s abrasive asphalt as being almost like sandpaper, underlining the tyre-management challenge awaiting drivers.

Both McLaren cars should complete substantial long-run work during Friday practice because teams have no recent race data from the circuit. Understanding thermal degradation could prove just as important as finding outright qualifying pace.

Sepang heat creates major physical challenge

Malaysia has traditionally been one of Formula 1’s most physically demanding destinations because of its combination of high temperatures and intense humidity. Air temperatures around 30C are expected during Friday running, with humidity making conditions feel considerably hotter inside the cockpit.

Drivers can lose significant amounts of fluid during prolonged running, while cockpit temperatures can rise dramatically once cars leave the garage. Cooling equipment and hydration strategies will therefore play an important role throughout the weekend.

The conditions also affect the machinery because power units, brakes and tyres all become harder to manage when ambient temperatures rise. Teams may need to open additional cooling outlets, potentially creating an aerodynamic penalty.

FP1 gives engineers their first opportunity to understand exactly how aggressive those cooling requirements need to be. Too conservative an approach costs performance, while insufficient cooling can quickly create reliability concerns.

Rain could interrupt opening practice

The tropical Malaysian climate creates a significant possibility of rain throughout the weekend, with showers capable of developing extremely quickly around Sepang. Friday’s FP1 currently carries a meaningful risk of precipitation despite temperatures remaining around 31C.

That creates a difficult decision for teams if rain begins during the session. Running on Intermediates or full Wet tyres would provide valuable experience, but it could also limit the dry-weather setup information teams desperately need after nine years away.

Wet running would nevertheless be particularly interesting because the 2026 generation of cars has completed relatively little meaningful running in heavy rain. Antonelli has suggested Sepang could provide an ideal venue for understanding how the cars behave in such conditions.

The circuit’s abrasive and relatively open asphalt may also disperse standing water more effectively than some newer surfaces. Even so, tropical storms can produce enormous amounts of rainfall in a very short period.

Pirelli choose C2, C3 and C4 compounds

Pirelli have selected the C2 Hard, C3 Medium and C4 Soft tyres for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia. The choice is one step more aggressive than the hardest possible combination and is intended to create a closer strategic balance between one-stop and two-stop approaches.

Sepang’s asphalt is considerably more abrasive than the surface teams encountered in Baku. Thermal degradation is therefore expected to become one of the central technical themes throughout Friday practice.

Each driver receives two sets of Hard tyres, three Mediums and eight Softs for the weekend, alongside the Intermediate and Wet compounds. FP1 programmes should include a mixture of short runs and longer sequences designed to assess how quickly each slick compound deteriorates.

The C4 Soft should provide useful information about qualifying performance, while the C3 Medium is likely to feature heavily during longer runs. Teams may initially preserve the C2 Hard until they have a clearer understanding of degradation levels.

Sepang surface presents major tyre challenge

The circuit has not been resurfaced since Formula 1 last raced there in 2017, leaving teams to deal with an abrasive track surface that should generate considerably more tyre wear than several recent venues. Pirelli rates the overall tyre energy demands at a similar level to Spa and Shanghai.

Track grip is expected to be relatively low when FP1 begins because Formula 1 machinery has not recently raced at Sepang. That should improve progressively throughout the weekend as rubber builds across the racing line.

The combination of low initial grip and high thermal degradation can create a particularly difficult setup compromise. Drivers need enough tyre temperature to generate confidence immediately without overheating the rubber across longer runs.

FP1 lap times may therefore improve rapidly as both the track and teams evolve. Headline positions could be considerably less meaningful than the consistency shown during multiple-lap runs.

Long straights put energy deployment under spotlight

Sepang features two major straights separated by the tight final hairpin, making power-unit performance and electrical deployment particularly important. Drivers must also carry significant speed through the preceding high-load corners, preventing teams from simply trimming away downforce.

The 2026 power-unit regulations make energy management an even larger component of performance than during Formula 1’s previous visit. Teams need to determine where electrical power can be deployed most efficiently without running short before the end of the lap.

This could become particularly important in wheel-to-wheel racing because drivers need sufficient electrical energy available to attack or defend. Friday simulations should therefore include extensive mapping work alongside conventional setup changes.

Mercedes have generally set the benchmark in this area throughout 2026. Sepang will provide another test of whether Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, McLaren and the other manufacturers have reduced that advantage.

High-speed corners test 2026 active aero

Sepang’s layout should provide an intriguing challenge for Formula 1’s active aerodynamic systems. Fast corners such as Turns 5 and 6 demand stability and confidence, while the long straights reward efficient low-drag configurations.

Teams have accumulated considerable knowledge about the 2026 systems during the first 15 rounds, but none have real-world data from Sepang. Simulation predictions will therefore come under immediate scrutiny once FP1 begins.

Finding the right balance between high-speed grip and straight-line performance could define the competitive order. Cars that are strong in only one area are likely to lose substantial time elsewhere around the lap.

FP1 should consequently feature frequent aerodynamic adjustments as drivers report how the cars behave through Sepang’s different corner sequences. That development work will continue into FP2 later in the afternoon.

Experience could matter during opening hour

Only 10 drivers on the 2026 grid have previously competed in Formula 1 at Sepang, creating an unusual divide in experience. Verstappen, Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are the only current drivers to have won at the circuit.

That familiarity will not completely eliminate the learning process because Formula 1 machinery has changed dramatically since 2017. However, knowing the track’s natural rhythm, camber changes and visual references should still help during the first few laps.

Drivers such as Antonelli, Russell, Norris and Piastri must build that knowledge from scratch in real conditions. Simulator preparation can provide a useful baseline, but it cannot perfectly replicate heat, bumps, wind or changing grip.

That could produce a more varied order than usual early in FP1. The gap between experienced and inexperienced drivers should gradually decrease as the session develops.

What to watch in Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP1

• Antonelli’s response after his championship lead fell to 66 points
• Russell’s momentum following his dominant Azerbaijan GP victory
• Mercedes’ performance on Sepang’s abrasive surface
• Verstappen’s attempt to build on consecutive strong weekends
• Hadjar’s physical condition after returning from his wrist injury
• Hamilton’s return to a circuit where he has previously won
• Leclerc’s early pace for Ferrari
• Norris and Piastri’s first Formula 1 laps at Sepang
• McLaren’s high-speed performance through the sweeping sections
• Driver adaptation after Formula 1’s nine-year Sepang absence
• C2, C3 and C4 tyre performance
• Thermal degradation on the abrasive asphalt
• Track evolution during the opening hour
• Rain risk and possible Intermediate tyre running
• Heat and humidity inside the cockpit
• Cooling requirements for cars and power units
• Electrical energy deployment along the long straights
• Active aero performance through Sepang’s varied corner profiles
• High-speed balance through Turns 5 and 6
• Long-run pace ahead of Sunday’s 56-lap race

FP1 begins at 12:30 local time, with the opening session running for one hour before FP2 follows at 16:00. The first Formula 1 laps at Sepang in nine years should provide an immediate indication of how well simulation work has prepared the teams for one of the calendar’s most distinctive challenges.

With Antonelli trying to reassert control of the championship, Russell arriving on the back of victory and Verstappen, Ferrari and McLaren searching for an opportunity to disrupt Mercedes, there is plenty to learn from the opening hour. Stay with Total-Motorsport.com for live lap times, tyre information, weather updates, technical developments and all the key moments from FP1 at the 2026 F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia.