Ferrari had a strong first day at the 2026 F1 Malaysia round with Charles Leclerc topping the timesheets in FP2; team boss Fred Vasseur also analysed the day.
The 28-year-old set the fastest time of Friday with a 1:37.528. The Monegasque had finished P4 in FP1, while teammate Lewis Hamilton finished both free practice sessions in the top ten with a P6 and P5 finish, respectively.
Nonetheless, when asked about both sessions on track at the 2026 F1 Malaysia round, Ferrari’s Leclerc was quick to point out the poor track conditions and he anticipates a “tricky weekend”.
Both Leclerc and Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur also highlighted how degradation will be the main concern of the 2026 F1 Malaysia weekend.
Leclerc on Ferrari’s first outing at 2026 F1 Malaysia round
Charles Leclerc is no stranger to the Sepang International Circuit, the Monegasque having completed an FP1 session for Sauber on the sport’s last visit to the circuit in 2017 and having raced at the track during his 2016 GP3 campaign.
However, Leclerc admitted that coming into the 2026 F1 Malaysia weekend, he had to reacquaint himself with the circuit.
“Honestly, I had to relearn the track all over again. I didn’t remember it so well coming here. I had done one FP1 and then was all the way back to 2016 in GP3, where I had a race weekend.”
Reflecting on Ferrari’s first outing at the 2026 F1 Malaysia round, Leclerc lamented the low grip of the Sepang International Circuit and shared that he is looking forward to driving on a more evolved track.
“But it’s a nice track. I enjoyed it. However, today the conditions were very, very, very poor and so it was very slippery. And for that, we need to be good at anticipating what it will feel like tomorrow once the track is in a better condition. That will be very important for us to do well tomorrow.”
Tyre degradation at the Sepang International Circuit
Leclerc also highlighted how tyre degradation will be Ferrari’s main challenge this weekend. According to the Monegasque, the combination of the track’s low grip and high temperature is the primary factor that resulted in high tyre wear.
Hence, while the track’s grip will improve throughout the weekend, tyre degradation will still be a challenge as was the case in many races previously at Sepang.
“The high degradation is going to be a big thing for the race because tyres are not lasting for very long and I don’t expect this to get significantly better throughout the weekend. The grip in itself will most likely get better.
“But still, it’s going to be a tricky weekend, particularly for the degradation. But we normally have a good race car, so I hope that will be the case this weekend.”
Vasseur on Ferrari’s strong performance on Friday at 2026 F1 Malaysia event
While Ferrari had a decent start to the 2026 F1 Malaysia weekend, Fred Vasseur cautioned everyone not to read too much into the results. Especially with the evolving nature of the Sepang International Circuit as the track’s grip level is expected to be much higher by Sunday.
Vasseur also highlighted how recent races have been at tracks with very low tyre degradation, unlike Sepang.
The Frenchman also echoed what Leclerc shared, emphasising that tyre degradation will be the team’s main focus of the weekend.
“You see, it’s better to be in good shape than not, but what is true is that it will be a lot about track evolution, that we try to anticipate how will be the track tomorrow, and it’s a challenge for us, but for everybody, I think. And it will be a lot about degradation, because compared to the previous events, Madrid, Monza, Baku, where we were on the low deg side, this one is a huge deg side, and that race pace will be mainly based on the degradation, and we have to be focused on this.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 F1 Malaysia round
Vasseur also shared how important the opening lap will be for a strong race. He shared how Ferrari would not be the only team struggling with tyre degradation. Hence, both strong tyre and energy management will give their drivers the upper hand at Sepang.
“You see, it’s even more true with the story of the energy, because as soon as you are sliding, it’s becoming a bit more difficult. It means that we can make difference, we can overtake, and so we really need to be focused on this. It’s a challenge for us, but I think it’s a challenge for everybody. That depends on how quick you are on the opening lap, so that we are struggling or not, and it will be a lot for the drivers to manage their pace on the street.”
Coming into the 2026 F1 Malaysia weekend, Ferrari brought along a targeted upgrade package for the SF-26. Vasseur explained the reasoning behind the decision as he shared he hoped the small upgrades would “increase the potential” of their existing set-up.
“It’s easy, but on this kind of event, probably it’s more to get the best from what you have, and I always prefer to increase the potential, but we have a lot to do with the car that we have.”
