Max Verstappen Tops FP1 at Bahrain GP in Malaysia as Mercedes Debuts Upgrades
Max Verstappen topped the first Formula 1 practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, setting a benchmark time of 1m 37.520s at the Sepang International Circuit. The Red Bull driver finished 0.383 seconds ahead of George Russell in an upgraded Mercedes, while track temperatures reached 57 degrees Celsius and drivers battled severe grip issues.
Verstappen Tops Sepang Return as Mercedes Debuts Upgrades
Formula 1 returned to Sepang for the first time in nine years following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds due to the war in the Middle East, with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa negotiating the Malaysian venue as a replacement. Verstappen immediately adapted to the abrasive asphalt on soft Pirelli tyres, while Mercedes brought a substantial seven-part upgrade package featuring a new floor, rear suspension, and bodywork, and a special livery honoring Petronas. Russell’s upgraded W17 ran on medium tyres initially before switching to softs, where he briefly closed within 0.049 seconds of the Dutchman before Verstappen responded with his fastest lap.
High Track Temperatures Cause Severe Tyre Degradation
Teams faced extreme thermal stress and sliding cars acting as road sweepers across the 57-degree track surface. Drivers encountered what Charles Leclerc described as “insane” tyre degradation. Russell radioed his Mercedes engineers during late race-simulation runs to question his high tyre wear, with team data indicating his degradation was an outlier compared to Verstappen’s long-run pace.
McLaren Struggles While Ferrari and Racing Bulls Hold Top Ten
McLaren endured a difficult opening hour with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris placing 11th and 12th respectively, failing to match high-speed corner prowess against a persistent straight-line speed disadvantage. Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari, split from team-mate Lewis Hamilton in sixth by championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s fifth-fastest Mercedes. Pierre Gasly placed seventh for Alpine, followed by the Racing Bulls pairing of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, with Nico Hulkenberg rounding out the top ten for Audi. Both Lindblad and Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar—who finished third fastest—face grid penalties for using extra power units this weekend.
Field Spread and Minor Incidents Down the Order
Franco Colapinto finished 19th for Alpine, followed by Williams driver Carlos Sainz and the Cadillac entries of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. Verstappen’s opening session pace echoed his victory at the same venue in 2017.
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