08:55
Will Alpine be able to move on from their Azerbaijan Grand Prix collision?
Flavio Briatore insists the 'past is the past' for Alpine after Baku blunder
Flavio Briatore
© XPB Images
Kimi Antonelli, 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia Friday practice as it happened
Catch up on all the action from Friday at the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
KEY MOMENTS
- Charles Leclerc ended the opening day at the top of the timesheets
- Lewis Hamilton under investigation
- Max Verstappen topped FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, which marks the 16th round of the campaign.
This weekend marks F1's first visit to the Sepang International Circuit since the last Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017.
However, this will not be officially counted as a Malaysian Grand Prix, as the event is being run and paid for by the Bahrain Grand Prix. As such, the event is being called the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Despite the tropical setting, the Bahrain organisers have flown in around 500 marshals from the country, while much of the branding around the circuit reflects that of the Sakhir track.
The event has been moved to Malaysia this year due to the ongoing war in Iran. The Bahrain Grand Prix had originally been due to run in April back-to-back with Saudi Arabia.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli comes into the Bahrain Grand Prix leading the championship still, though a fifth-place finish after a crash in qualifying last time out at Baku has seen his advantage lowered by Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
Mercedes has an updated car at Sepang, as it looks to rebuild its dominant advantage from earlier in the season.
Ferrari will be out to quieten the noise around the team in the last week surrounding the future of Fred Vasseur, with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc publicly backing their team boss on Thursday at Sepang.
Red Bull nearly denied Mercedes victory in Azerbaijan, with Max Verstappen just 0.1s behind Russell at the chequered flag. Verstappen was the last winner at Sepang in F1, while the long straights should suit the Red Bull's Ford power unit.
This weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix has been declared a heat hazard, while air quality could be an issue due to haze in the region right now.
On top of that, F1's 2026 cars could face their first proper wet weather test at Sepang.
2026 Bahrain Grand Prix Friday schedule
FP1 - 5:30am BST - 6:30am BST
FP2 - 9am BST - 10am BST
08:51
In between sessions, Fred Vasseur had to answer questions from the media regarding the rumours surrounding his future at Ferrari.
Fred Vasseur issues "huge mistake" warning amid rampant Ferrari speculation
Fred Vasseur has been under pressure as Ferrari team principal
08:40
Reminder from FP1
If you are just joining us for FP2 and missed FP1, Max Verstappen topped the opening session, ahead of George Russell and Red Bull teammate, Isack Hadjar.
08:01
Bahrain in Malaysia FP2 - build-up
Welcome back to our live coverage of the 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
FP2 is coming up at 9am BST, so in just under an hour.
06:42
Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Full Friday practice results
Full results from Friday practice at the 2026 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia: Full Friday practice results
George Russell, Mercedes F1 team, 2026 Bahrain GP
© XPB Images
06:33
Chequered Flag
The Chequered Flag has been waved at the Sepang International Circuit, bringing an end to FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
06:24
Times
- Max Verstappen 1m 37.520
- George Russell +0.383
- Isack Hadjar +0.783
- Charles Leclerc +0.847
- Kimi Antonelli +1.060
- Lewis Hamilton +1.070
- Pierre Gasly +1.195
- Liam Lawson +1.586
- Arvid Lindblad +1.677
- Nico Hulkenberg +1.691
- Oscar Piastri +1.756
- Lando Norris +1.773
- Gabriel Bortoleto +2.028
- Fernando Alonso +2.163
- Esteban Ocon +2.638
- Oliver Bearman +2.791
- Alex Albon +2.801
- Lance Stroll +2.893
- Franco Colapinto +3.011
- Carlos Sainz +3.085
- Valtteri Bottas +3.280
- Sergio Perez +3.300
06:13
Nico Hulkenberg is inside the top ten in the Audi as he sits in tenth place, ahead of both McLaren drivers, who are in 11th and 12th.
06:10
After going fastest in the first sector, Pierre Gasly was able to make his way into seventh place in the Alpine.
06:06
Verstappen back on top
George Russell did not sit on top of the times for too long, as Red Bull and Max Verstappen have returned to the top of the timesheets, with a 1m 37.520.
06:03
Russell goes fastest
George Russell now leads the way in the Mercedes, ahead of Isack Hadjar in second, and Charles Leclerc in third.
06:01
Halfway
Halfway through F1 FP1:
1. Isack Hadjar 1m 38.303
2. Max Verstappen 1m 38.883
3. George Russell 1m 38.932
4. Liam Lawson 1m 39.106
5. Arvid Lindblad 1m 39.197
05:55
Arvid Lindblad has moved up to third place on the timesheets, as he continues his early running on soft tyres.
05:48
Charles Leclerc has labelled the tyre degradation in the early stages of FP1 as 'insane', as he finds himself fifth on the timesheets.
05:42
The majority of drivers are out on medium tyres, apart from the Red Bulls, Arvid Lindblad, and Franco Colapinto, who are on soft tyres.
05:36
The first proper flying laps have been completed, and Max Verstappen finds himself at the top of the timesheets.
05:31
F1 FP1 is underway
The green flags are out, and FP1 for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia begins.
Franco Colapinto is the first driver out on track for his first proper look at the Sepang International Circuit.
05:25
Five minutes until the green flag is waved at the Sepang International Circuit to start Free Practice 1.
05:23
A view of the new Mercedes updates
Mercedes F1 W17
05:17
Currently, it is dry ahead of the opening session of the weekend. However, there could be rain later in the day!
04:59
Last weekend
Last weekend in Azerbaijan, George Russell returned to winning ways, taking his third Grand Prix victory of the season, and his first Grand Prix win since the Austrian Grand Prix.
04:52
F1 back in Malaysia
As a reminder, this is the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, as F1 returns to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017. The event has had a venue change due to the ongoing war in Iran.
04:38
F1 FP1 to start in an hour
Welcome to live coverage of Friday's F1 practices from Sepang, Malaysia, where FP1 for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia is due to start in under an hour (12:30 local time).