Max Verstappen set the pace in FP1 at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia, leading the opening practice session as Formula 1 returned to the Sepang International Circuit.
The Red Bull Racing driver produced a 1:37.520 to finish 0.383 seconds clear of George Russell for Mercedes.
Isack Hadjar completed a strong opening session for Red Bull Racing in third, while Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fifth, narrowly ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Pierre Gasly leading the midfield in seventh.
2026 Bahrain GP FP1 results
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Verstappen leads strong Red Bull start at Sepang
Verstappen established himself at the front as the track gradually rubbered in, lowering the benchmark to a 1:37.520 during the soft-tyre runs.
That was nearly four tenths faster than Russell, who began the weekend positively after winning last time out in Baku and reducing Antonelli’s championship advantage to 66 points.
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Hadjar was another 0.400s behind in third, giving Red Bull Racing two cars inside the top three. It was another encouraging showing after his podium on his return to racing in Azerbaijan.
Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari, with Antonelli and Hamilton separated by only 0.010s in fifth and sixth.
Mercedes also used FP1 to evaluate a significant upgrade package, including revised bodywork, floor, diffuser and rear suspension as the team looks to maintain its advantage at the front.
Track conditions made the opening hour particularly demanding. Temperatures climbed to around 57 degrees Celsius, while the relatively low initial grip and abrasive Sepang surface put tyre management high on the list of priorities.
McLaren focuses on set-up
Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad gave Racing Bulls a solid start by finishing eighth and ninth, with Nico Hulkenberg completing the top 10 for Audi.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were only 0.017s apart in 11th and 12th for McLaren, but outright performance did not appear to be the team’s main focus.
The two cars ran different rear-wing configurations as McLaren gathered data and evaluated which direction offered the best compromise for the rest of the weekend.
Tyre life was another important consideration. Pirelli has brought the C2, C3 and C4 compounds, with high degradation expected because of the abrasive asphalt and extreme temperatures.
Early indications were more encouraging than expected, however, with Lindblad managing an extended run on the soft tyre and suggesting the compound could remain useful for more than a single push lap.
There were no major reliability failures during FP1, allowing the field to accumulate valuable mileage at a circuit Formula 1 has not raced at since 2017.
Bahrain GP FP1 results FAQs
Max Verstappen was fastest in FP1 at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia, setting a 1:37.520 for Red Bull Racing.
George Russell finished second for Mercedes, 0.383 seconds behind Verstappen.
Isack Hadjar finished third for Red Bull Racing, 0.783 seconds away from the fastest time.
Kimi Antonelli finished fifth for Mercedes, 1.060 seconds behind Verstappen.
Lando Norris finished 12th for McLaren, just behind teammate Oscar Piastri.
Pirelli has selected the C2, C3 and C4 compounds for the weekend at Sepang, with high tyre degradation expected because of the abrasive circuit surface and hot conditions.
