2026 F1 Malaysia | FP1 results

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Max Verstappen topped the 2026 FP1 session in Malaysia as Formula 1 (F1) returned to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since 2017. Full results below.

The session began with immediate action as drivers headed out onto a dusty and low-grip track. Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad started on soft tyres, while most of the early runners used mediums, including both Williams drivers.

Verstappen, the last driver to win at Sepang in 2017, set the early pace with a 1:39.400 on softs. Oscar Piastri reported a lack of grip in the opening minutes, reflecting the difficult conditions as the racing line slowly began to clean up.

Teams gather data in hot conditions

Racing Bulls sent Liam Lawson out with flow-vis paint on his rear wing as the team gathered aerodynamic data. Lawson carried extra importance for the team, with teammate Isack Hadjar facing a likely grid penalty after taking a new ICE out of regulation.

The FIA also confirmed new power unit components for Lindblad and Colapinto, with Colapinto’s penalty set to be added to his existing five-place drop from Baku.

As the session approached the halfway point, most drivers returned to the pits for debriefs. Red Bull worked on the rear of Verstappen’s car around the rear wing area, while the team also appeared to face overheating concerns that could require cooling changes before FP2.

Verstappen moves clear

Hadjar briefly moved to the top despite complaining about his front tyres, setting a 1:38.303 to edge ahead of Charles Leclerc. George Russell then responded on softs, going four tenths quicker.

However, Verstappen soon lowered the benchmark again with a 1:37.520, putting himself nearly four tenths clear of Russell.

Kimi Antonelli completed a soft-tyre run but could not match the front-runners, slotting between the Ferrari drivers. Pierre Gasly impressed for Alpine, going purple in the first sector before moving into seventh.

McLaren focused on rear wing comparisons rather than outright pace, running different specifications on Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris’ cars. Piastri finished his soft-tyre run 10th, just 0.017s ahead of Norris.

Kerbs catch drivers out

Track temperatures climbed to 57 degrees Celsius in the closing stages, while several drivers explored the limits. Russell bounced over the kerbs, while Esteban Ocon went wide at Turn 4 after running close behind Carlos Sainz.

The chequered flag ended a clean first session with Verstappen fastest from Russell and Hadjar.