Verstappen leads opening practice in Sepang as Formula 1 returns to Malaysia
Max Verstappen set the fastest lap time of 1:37.520 in opening practice for the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit, finishing 0.383 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell.
Verstappen paces opening session at Sepang
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen set the fastest lap during the opening practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was relocated to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia due to conflict in the Middle East. The four-time world champion recorded a time of 1 minute, 37.520 seconds on the 5.543-kilometre track as he searches for his first win of the season. Mercedes driver George Russell finished second, trailing Verstappen by 0.383 seconds. Isack Hadjar took third place for Red Bull, while Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc finished fourth as the only other competitor within one second of Verstappen's benchmark. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fifth, more than a second behind the lead pace.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies assessed the team's initial performance during the session on Sky Sports F1.
It's early to get excited because it's only FP1 but Max and Isack did a good job in very difficult conditions - they got into a rhythm pretty quickly.
Heat and tyre degradation challenge the grid
Drivers faced demanding weather conditions during Friday morning's running, characterised by bright sunshine, high track temperatures, and a dusty start-finish straight. Both Mercedes drivers, running a teal-green livery for sponsor Petronas alongside a new aerodynamic upgrade package, ran wide at Turn 4 late in the session while managing heavy tyre wear. Antonelli and Russell currently occupy the top two positions in the drivers' championship standings, separated by 66 points. Ferrari experienced similar handling difficulties, with Leclerc noting severe tyre drop-off across his initial runs on the Malaysian circuit, where he had not driven since a 2017 test.
The tyre degradation is insane.
- Max Verstappen wins the final Malaysian Grand Prix before Sepang leaves the Formula 1 calendar.
- Isack Hadjar misses three Grands Prix due to a fractured wrist.
- Hadjar finishes third and Verstappen takes second at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
- Verstappen clocks 1:37.520 to top opening practice for the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang.
Penalties and lower-half results
Lewis Hamilton placed sixth for Ferrari on a circuit where he previously claimed one race victory, finishing directly ahead of Alpine driver Pierre Gasly. Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad finished eighth and ninth, while Audi driver Nico Hulkenberg completed the top ten. Three drivers incurred grid penalties for Sunday's race after exceeding their permitted allocations of engine components. The FIA confirmed penalties for Hadjar, Lindblad, and Franco Colapinto. Racing Bulls confirmed that Lindblad installed a fifth power unit of the season and will start the race from the back of the grid.
Hadjar outlines multi-year Red Bull targets
Hadjar entered the weekend following a contract extension with Red Bull after securing third place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The French driver sits eighth in the championship on 86 points, having missed three rounds across August and September after fracturing his wrist. Hadjar stated that he intends to build toward a world championship challenge in 2027 and 2028, aiming to match Alain Prost, who won four world titles between 1985 and 1993. Hadjar noted that Red Bull currently operates at a comparable performance level to McLaren and Ferrari while working to catch Mercedes.
I want to finish the season telling myself that in 2027, we're going to crush them all! And 2028 will be even better.
