Overview
- Formula 1 relocated the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia after earlier Middle East cancellations, with the event running on Bahrain’s behalf under a formal agreement.
- Red Bull’s Max Verstappen led first practice with a 1:37.520 lap, showing strong single-lap speed in the opening hour of running on Friday.
- Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the second practice with a 1:37.528, producing a mixed picture of competitiveness across Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.
- Teams struggled with very high air and track temperatures that caused severe tyre degradation, and Mercedes introduced a large upgrade package while saying tyre overheating is masking its true race pace.
- The FIA confirmed engine-component penalties for Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto that will alter starting positions, and the weekend will hinge on tyre management, upgrade performance and how teams set up for qualifying and the race.