Verstappen fastest in first practice for Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

Max Verstappen topped the timesheets in first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at Sepang on 2 October 2026, finishing 0.383 seconds ahead of George Russell. Verstappen is a four-time F1 World Champion.

Formula 1 returned to the Sepang circuit for the first time in nine years for this event after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled at the beginning of the year as a result of the war in the Middle East. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa negotiated to hold the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, with a number of Bahraini-related activities taking place at the track and the Bahrain Grand Prix trophy set to be presented; rosewater rather than champagne will be sprayed on the podium.

Russell, the winner last week in Azerbaijan, set the second-quickest time in an upgraded Mercedes. The second Red Bull, driven by Isack Hadjar, was third fastest, 0.783 seconds off Verstappen's pace.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fourth, split from his team-mate Lewis Hamilton by championship leader Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes. Alpine's Pierre Gasly finished seventh.

The Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad followed, with the report noting Arvid Lindblad will start from the back of the grid as a result of a grid penalty for using too many engine parts. Hadjar also has a grid penalty, expected to be five places, for the same reason.

Drivers highlighted a high level of tyre degradation caused by Sepang's abrasive surface during the session; Russell, questioning tyre wear on his race-simulation run late in the session, was told his tyre wear did appear to be "an outlier" compared to that of Verstappen.

Mercedes introduced their first major upgrade since the Canadian Grand Prix, fitting a new floor and rear bodywork. The team had expected McLaren to be the one to beat at this track, but the world champions had a low-key first session with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris 11th and 12th respectively.

Further coverage on the event includes a Bahrain GP in Malaysia preview and an Andrew Benson Q&A, and the BBC has information on how to follow the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.