Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Max Verstappen sets pace on F1's return to Sepang in first practice from George Russell

02.10.2026, 09:01 skysports.com

​Max Verstappen made an impressively fast start to Formula 1's return to the Sepang International Circuit to set the pace from George Russell in the first practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

With F1 cars back on the popular track on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur for the first time since 2017, Verstappen - the winner of that last race at Sepang - was quickly back in the groove in his Red Bull and set the pace on a 1:37.520 by three tenths of a second.

Russell, who pipped Verstappen to victory in Baku last week, was second quickest in a Mercedes car that features a major aerodynamic upgrade this weekend.

The package represents Mercedes' first car update of significance since the Canadian Grand Prix at the end of May and features a new floor, rear suspension and rear corner.

While it will inevitably take a little time for the Silver Arrows to fully assess the revised W17's performance to get the most out of it, Kimi Antonelli will hope to close up to Russell after the title leader lapped 0.6s slower than his team-mate alone.

Antonelli was fifth but a full second off Verstappen's pace.

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Ferrari were also a long way off the pace in first practice with Charles Leclerc in fourth and Lewis Hamilton in sixth. McLaren both finished outside the top 10 with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris 11th and 12th respectively.

Amid hot and humid Malaysian weather, and on a dusty track, tyre degradation was quickly a factor on a track that features an older tarmac and numerous long, fast corners.

Indeed, the Mercedes pit wall told Russell that they appeared to be an "outlier" compared to rivals with the higher level of tyre wear they were experiencing on soft tyres late in the session.

"It's early days," cautioned Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies to Sky Sports F1.

"We saw the high deg of the Mercedes but everyone is out of the [set-up] window now."

More to follow…

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Friday October 28.45am: Bahrain GP Practice Two (session starts at 9am)*10.15am: The F1 Show*

Saturday October 35.15am: Bahrain GP Practice Three (session starts at 5.30am)*8am: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up*9am: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING*

Sunday October 46.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Bahrain GP build-up*8am: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX*10am: Chequered Flag: Bahrain GP reaction*

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is in Malaysia for the first time since 2017 as it hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit - watch Sunday's race at 8am (build-up from 6.30am), live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime