Max Verstappen led the opening Formula 1 session at Sepang as the Malaysian circuit returned to the calendar for the first time in nine years, hosting this season’s relocated Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver finished 0.383 seconds clear of Mercedes’ George Russell, who arrived in Malaysia after winning the previous round in Azerbaijan. Mercedes is running a significant upgrade package this weekend, including a revised floor and new rear bodywork.
Isack Hadjar placed the second Red Bull third, 0.783 seconds behind Verstappen, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fourth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli took fifth for Mercedes, separating Leclerc from Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Pierre Gasly was seventh for Alpine, followed by Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. Lindblad is set to start from the rear of the grid after exceeding his permitted allocation of power-unit components, while Hadjar is also carrying an engine-related grid penalty expected to cost him five places.
Sepang’s return comes after major disruption to the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled earlier in the year because of the conflict in the Middle East, but Bahrain officials continued discussions over staging their event elsewhere.
An agreement involving Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ultimately brought the race to Malaysia. Although Sepang is hosting the weekend, the event retains its Bahrain Grand Prix identity, with Bahrain-themed activities taking place around the circuit. The Bahrain Grand Prix trophy will be awarded after the race, while rosewater will replace champagne during the podium celebrations.
The demanding Sepang surface immediately became a major talking point during practice, with drivers reporting significant tyre degradation. Russell appeared particularly affected during his late-session race simulation, with Mercedes data indicating that his tyre wear was unusually high compared with Verstappen’s.
Mercedes’ new aerodynamic package is its first major update since the Canadian Grand Prix and could prove important on a circuit combining long corners, heavy braking zones and high-speed sections.
McLaren had been expected to emerge as one of the strongest teams at Sepang, but the reigning constructors’ champions made a subdued start. Oscar Piastri finished only 11th, with Lando Norris directly behind him in 12th.