Max Verstappen ended Free Practice 1 fastest for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, on F1’s return.
After nine years away, F1 has returned to Sepang as it hosts the Bahrain GP on behalf of Sakhir, with Verstappen, who won the final Malaysian GP in 2017, emerging fastest from the first practice session.
A 1:37.520 was enough to top the session from Mercedes’ George Russell, who is using the fresh upgrades, as is Kimi Antonelli, who was fifth, in a Ferrari sandwich.
Check out the full results from Free Practice 1 ahead of the 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia below.