Bahrain GP in Malaysia 2026: Max Verstappen tops first practice
Max Verstappen and Red Bull showed strong pace during the first practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia. Despite Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topping the timesheets, teams remain closely matched as they adjust to tricky track conditions.
Why it matters
Formula 1 remains a major global sport, and performance shifts during practice sessions are critical indicators for race weekend outcomes.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, George Russell was seventh fastest
F1 Correspondent Published 2 October 2026, 06:41 BST Updated 6 hours ago Red Bull were tipped by George Russell and Charles Leclerc as the team to beat after the first day at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Red Bull drivers Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen finished the day second and fourth fastest but those positions appeared to belie their underlying pace.
Ferrari's Leclerc was fastest by 0.099 seconds from Hadjar, while Verstappen was 0.257secs off the pace and behind McLaren's Lando Norris.
Lewis Hamilton was fifth fastest and 0.305secs off the pace in the second Ferrari.
But Verstappen did not do a qualifying simulation run on the soft tyre, and Leclerc said Hadjar had not optimised his.
Leclerc said: "Everybody is very close. It's been a very difficult day overall.
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2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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