F1 – FOUR-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen set the fastest overall time yesterday in the first two F1 practice sessions kicking off the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026.
Verstappen set the day’s benchmark during the opening runs at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the timesheet in session two with a best lap time that was just eight-thousandths of a second slower.
Motorsport’s top flight marked its long-awaited return to Malaysia’s iconic facility after nearly a decade’s absence. The last F1 grand prix to be held here was in 2017 – a race that was won by Verstappen and one that featured 10 drivers from the world championship’s current star-studded grid.
“I think we had a pretty decent start today,” said Verstappen after being classified fourth in the second session. “There are still a few things we need to understand better ahead of tomorrow, but we have had two positive sessions, which is good.”
The Dutchman registered a fastest lap of one minute 37.520 seconds in yesterday’s first 60-minute practice, completing 23 laps of work in his Red Bull Racing RB22.
Verstappen was 0.383 seconds quicker than George Russell of Mercedes, while his Red Bull Racing teammate Isack Hadjar came third 0.783s back.
“We began well; the track was quite tricky as it was very hot with a lot of degradation, so there are a few things, particularly with the tyres, that we will need to analyse tonight,” added Verstappen, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Wednesday.
Russell, who was making his debut at SIC in his F1 W17 contender, commented: “It was a really cool experience to get out on track for the first time here. I’ve never driven here before and it’s great to do so, given how iconic this place is.
“The cars are operating in quite a different window to what we usually do, and I don’t think we quite got ours into the place that we needed today. We will look to get on top of that overnight and hopefully, if we do so, we can be in the fight at the front for the rest of the weekend.”
Leclerc ranked fourth in the first practice 0.847s behind Verstappen, while Russell’s teammate and world championship leader Kimi Antonelli followed in fifth 1.060s adrift.
Ferrari’s seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton was sixth 1.070s back, while rounding out the top 10 were Pierre Gasly (+1.195s) of Alpine, Liam Lawson (+1.586s) and Arvid Lindblad (+1.677s) of Racing Bulls, and Nico Hulkenberg (+1.691s) from Audi.
Completing the classification from 11th to 22nd, respectively, were McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Haas’ Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, Williams’ Alexander Albon, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
In yesterday’s second runs, Leclerc emerged as the top man with his quickest time of 1:37.528 in his SF-26 car. He finished ahead of Hadjar by a mere 0.099s, while reigning world champion Lando Norris of Bahrain-owned McLaren was third 0.137s behind in his MCL40. Verstappen was classified fourth 0.257s back, and Hamilton came fifth 0.305s adrift.
“We had a good day and learned a lot about this track, but there’s still plenty of work ahead of us until Sunday,” said Leclerc, who posted 29 laps on the board in the 60 minutes. “Our performance was good; however, we mustn’t underestimate our competitors as I think they have more to show tomorrow.
“The field is tight, the track was quite dirty and slippery today, and I expect to see quite a significant evolution between today and qualifying.”
Hadjar was pleased with his performances yesterday as he marked his second weekend back after missing three grands prix in a row leading up to his podium last weekend in Baku, Azerbaijan.
“A very good start to the weekend in terms of competitiveness,” said the French-Algerian. “The track is very challenging and the conditions are tough, so I feel there’s still a lot of lap time to find.
“I’m not completely happy with the balance of the car yet, but I’m super happy with our overall competitiveness.”
Also in the top 10 of session two were Piastri (+0.371s), Russell (+0.492s), Antonelli (+0.532s), Lawson (+0.968s), and Gasly (+1.060s).
Completing the classification were Lindblad, Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Ocon, Alonso, Bearman, Sainz, Stroll, Bottas, Albon, Perez, and Colapinto.
F1 returns to the track today for a third hour-long practice starting at 12.30pm local time and 7.30am Bahrain time. Qualifying will then follow at 4pm local time and 11am Bahrain time, determining the starting grid for tomorrow’s 56-lap F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, which is scheduled for lights out at 3pm local time and 10am Bahrain time.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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