Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari were the fastest drivers in the first and second free practice sessions for the Bahrain Grand Prix, which, due to conflicts in the Middle East, is being held in Malaysia. Formula 1 thus returns to the Sepang track after nine years.
Verstappen was fastest in the first free practice, with a time of 1:37.520 for the fastest lap. George Russell of Mercedes was second, while Isack Hadjar, the second driver for Red Bull, took third. The fourth position in the first session went to Leclerc.
In the second free practice, Leclerc was fastest, completing his fastest lap in 1:37.528. Hadjar followed Leclerc, with Lando Norris in the McLaren taking third place.
In the overall standings, Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes leads with 302 points. Russell is second with 236 points, followed by Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari with 199 points, and Norris fourth with 186 points.
The Bahrain Grand Prix is the 26th race of the Formula 1 World Championship. Official qualifying takes place on Saturday, starting at 10:00, with the race held on Sunday at 9:00.
