Max Verstappen set the pace in Free Practice 1 for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, as Formula 1 returned to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017.
After nine years away from the circuit outside Kualur Lumpur, F1 teams and driver were quickly reacquainted with Sepang’s demands, with the opening practice session at the 5.5 km track taking place in hot and humid conditions.
Verstappen finished fastest with a 1:37.520, 0.383s clear of Mercedes’ George Russell, while Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar completed the top three.
The opening running saw the teams adopt different approaches to tyre selection, with Verstappen, Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto initially using the soft compound, while most of the field began on mediums.
Oscar Piastri reported limited grip during the early stages, as drivers worked to establish a baseline on the unfamiliar combination of circuit conditions and race weekend demands.
Verstappen initially posted a 1:39.400 before lowering the benchmark to 1:38.883. Russell, meanwhile, demonstrated Mercedes’ early pace on the medium tyres, setting a time just 0.049s off the Red Bull driver’s best.
Mercedes arrived in Malaysia with a substantial upgrade package, its first major development since the Canadian Grand Prix. The changes included revised sidepod bodywork, an updated floor and diffuser, and modifications to the rear suspension.
As the session progressed, the focus shifted towards qualifying simulations, with most of the field switching to soft tyres. Russell improved to 1:37.903, briefly taking the top position before Hadjar moved ahead with a 1:38.303.
Verstappen subsequently reclaimed first place with his eventual fastest lap of 1:37.520. Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari, ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, while Lewis Hamilton completed the top six.
Pierre Gasly placed seventh for Alpine, followed by Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Lindblad, with Nico Hülkenberg completing the top 10 for Audi.
Lindblad, who is expected to receive a grid penalty following the installation of a new power unit, completed 27 laps but was unable to find a clear opportunity to improve his time on a fresh set of soft tyres.
Colapinto finished 19th, with Alpine facing an additional grid penalty following his involvement in the incident in Baku. His final stint was subsequently confirmed to have been completed on scrubbed soft tyres rather than a new set.
Towards the end of the session, Russell and Mercedes race engineer Marcus Dudley discussed whether the team was an outlier in terms of tyre degradation, an area likely to receive further attention as preparations continue.
Behind the leading six, Piastri and Lando Norris placed 11th and 12th for McLaren, while Fernando Alonso was 14th for Aston Martin.
2026 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia – Free Practice 1
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:37.520 23 204.622
2 George Russell Mercedes 1:37.903 0.383 25 203.822
3 Isack Hadjar Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:38.303 0.783 23 202.992
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:38.367 0.847 25 202.860
5 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:38.580 1.060 23 202.422
6 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:38.590 1.070 21 202.401
7 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Mercedes 1:38.715 1.195 22 202.145
8 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:39.106 1.586 22 201.348
9 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:39.197 1.677 27 201.163
10 Nico Hülkenberg Audi 1:39.211 1.691 23 201.134
11 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:39.276 1.756 23 201.003
12 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:39.293 1.773 21 200.968
13 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:39.548 2.028 25 200.454
14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Honda 1:39.683 2.163 22 200.182
15 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:40.158 2.638 23 199.233
16 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:40.311 2.791 23 198.929
17 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:40.321 2.801 22 198.909
18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Honda 1:40.413 2.893 19 198.727
19 Franco Colapinto Alpine/Mercedes 1:40.531 3.011 22 198.493
20 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:40.605 3.085 25 198.347
21 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac/Ferrari 1:40.800 3.280 23 197.964
22 Sergio Pérez Cadillac/Ferrari 1:40.820 3.300 24 197.925
