F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Verstappen pips Russell to top FP1
Max Verstappen topped the FP1 session at the Malaysian-hosted Bahrain Grand Prix, outpacing George Russell. The session was characterized by extreme heat and the challenge of adapting to a track not visited by F1 in nine years.
Why it matters
This report provides technical insight into how F1 teams adapt to unexpected venue changes and extreme environmental conditions.
Max Verstappen topped opening practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia aboard a highly competitive 2026 Red Bull Formula 1 car in an uninterrupted session at Sepang.
The four-time world champion posted a 1m37.520s to go 0.383s quicker than second-placed George Russell of Mercedes, with Verstappen’s team-mate Isack Hadjar completing the top three on a 1m38.303s.
It came on F1’s first visit to Sepang in nine years – Verstappen won the last race there in 2017 - which is hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix on behalf of the Sakhir circuit due to the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict.
So with next to no recent data of the Malaysian track, it was little surprise to see teams rush out in the early moments of FP1 with the medium tyre largely being the preferred choice.
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2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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