Max Verstappen topped the FP1 timesheets, marking the start of Formula 1’s return to Malaysia for Round 16 of the 2026 F1 season.
Last visited in 2017, Sepang International Circuit welcomed the F1 grid back to Malaysia after a nine-year absence. The championship arrived following a chaotic Azerbaijan GP, where George Russell claimed victory, closing the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli to 66 points.
With rain forecast throughout the weekend, the return to Sepang also challenged teams to adapt to a mix of hot and wet conditions, while 11 drivers experienced the circuit for the first time.
Green light for FP1 in Malaysia
Franco Colapinto led the pack onto the track as the one-hour FP1 session began. Most drivers began their session with medium tyres, with the exception of Colapinto, Arvid Lindblad, Isack Hadjar, and Max Verstappen on softs. Several teams, including Mercedes, also headed out with upgrades.
As drivers completed their first laps, 2017 Malaysian GP winner Verstappen set the early benchmark with a 1:39.400. The Red Bull driver soon improved his lead by 0.517s, as the Mercedes drivers took P2 and P3.
The opening laps were not without mistakes, with Oscar Piastri going wide at Turn 14 and Hadjar also going off. Race Control showed Liam Lawson a black-and-white flag for failing to keep to the correct side of the bollard, while drivers also reported grip, temperature, and tyre degradation troubles over the radio.
Verstappen leads as drivers learn
20 minutes into the session, Verstappen continued to lead the way, with his 1:38.883 remaining unbeatable. The session remained relatively quiet as drivers continued to familiarise themselves with the circuit. Notably, Lindblad and Colapinto fitted a new set of softs, allowing Lindblad to jump into P3.
Hadjar demoted Verstappen halfway through the session, setting a 1:38.303 to take P1. However, his lead didn’t last long as Russell briefly moved to the top before Verstappen responded by going 0.383s quicker to reclaim the position.
Despite both Mercedes drivers visiting Sepang for the first time, Antonelli struggled to match teammate Russell, sitting P5 with 18 minutes left. His 1:38.580 proved over a second off the pace of FP1 leader Verstappen.
Final moments
With 10 minutes remaining, Verstappen remained in P1, followed by Russell, Hadjar, Charles Leclerc and Antonelli completing the top five. Running in P10, Nico Hülkenberg suffered several moments, bouncing over the high kerbs.
However, with no major reliability issues affecting the field, drivers continued to complete laps around the Malaysian circuit. The final laps were tight, with several drivers, including as Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz, going wheel-to-wheel.
Through it all, Verstappen finished the first 2026 F1 Malaysia session at the top, as Russell and Hadjar completed the FP1 top three.
2026 F1 Malaysia FP1 results here
