No rust at Sepang: Verstappen fastest in opening practice after nine years away

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen steers his car during the first practice session ahead of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang on October 2, 2026. — AFP pic

First Published: Friday, 02 Oct 2026 3:07 PM MYT

Last Modified: Friday, 02 Oct 2026 3:10 PM MYT

SEPANG, Oct 2 — Nine years after conquering Sepang International Circuit (SIC), four-time Formula 1 (F1) world champion Max Verstappen is showing he has lost none of his touch at the iconic Malaysian circuit.

The Red Bull Racing driver returned to the scene after being the last Malaysian Grand Prix (GP) champion in 2017 here by topping the first practice session for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 here today.

Verstappen dominated the session after clocking 1 minute 37.520 seconds (s) on a hot and sunny afternoon.

The Dutchman was 0.383 seconds faster than Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s George Russell, who finished second in 1:37.903s, while Verstappen’s teammate Isack Hadjar was third in 1:38.303s.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth fastest in 1:38.367s, followed by current drivers’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team in fifth with 1:38.580s.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari was sixth fastest in 1:38.590s.

Reigning world champion from McLaren Lando Norris, meanwhile, endured a difficult opening session, finishing 12th in 1:39.293s.

The second free practice session is scheduled to begin at 4 pm today.

In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the Gulf Air Bahrain GP from October 2 to 4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.

The agreement keeps the Bahrain GP on the 2026 F1 calendar after the race was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian GP at SIC from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar. — Bernama