Max Verstappen Leads Bahrain GP Practice as Formula 1 Returns to Malaysia

The 2026 Formula 1 season brought a major change to the Bahrain Grand Prix. Instead of taking place in the Middle East, the race was moved to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. This shift happened because of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, making it unsafe to hold the event in Bahrain, according to Adnkronos.

The change is significant, as Formula 1 had not raced in Malaysia for nine years. The Sepang circuit was once a regular fixture on the F1 calendar and is known for its challenging layout and unpredictable weather. The event is officially called the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is funded by Bahrain and run in Malaysia, Autocar India noted.

Ahead of the race weekend, drivers and teams arrived in Malaysia and prepared for Friday's practice sessions. The schedule included two rounds of free practice on October 2, with global TV coverage and streaming options widely available, Forbes reported.

During the first practice session on October 2, Max Verstappen immediately made his mark. He posted the quickest lap, finishing 0.383 seconds ahead of Mercedes' George Russell, as the BBC reported. This strong start highlighted Red Bull's pace and Verstappen's comfort at Sepang, where he had previously won.

In the second practice session, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fastest. Verstappen was fourth in that session, while Mercedes continued to lag behind the leaders, according to Telegraaf and nu.nl. Leclerc's performance suggested Ferrari could be a serious contender for the weekend.

Red Bull and Ferrari both looked competitive in their long-run pace, while Mercedes and other teams worked to close the gap. The return to Sepang added an extra layer of unpredictability, since many current drivers have little experience at the circuit.

At the end of Friday's sessions, Max Verstappen had established himself as a frontrunner, especially after his performance in the first practice. Charles Leclerc's speed in the second session showed that Ferrari is also in strong form.

Mercedes, on the other hand, struggled to keep up with the leaders, raising questions about their pace heading into qualifying. The teams are now focused on final preparations for Saturday's crucial qualifying sessions and Sunday's race.

The next key moment is qualifying, which will determine the starting grid for the race. With Verstappen and Leclerc both showing speed, the fight for pole position is wide open. Fans and teams are watching to see if Red Bull can maintain its early edge, or if Ferrari can carry its momentum into the race.