{
  "id": 11367685,
  "title": "Verstappen sets the pace in Bahrain GP FP1 in Sepang's long-awaited F1 return",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/verstappen-sets-the-pace-in-bahrain-gp-fp1-in-sepangs-long-awaited-f1",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T05:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/verstappen-sets-pace-bahrain-gp-053000511.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Max Verstappen dominated the first Free Practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, marking the track's return to Formula 1 after a nine-year hiatus. The Dutch driver set the fastest lap of the session with a time of 1:37.250, finishing ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell and Red Bull teammate Isaac Hadjar, who both completed the top three. Drivers were eager to get out on track due to the unknowns surrounding the surface and tyre degradation, with temperatures reaching a scorching 54°C. The FIA declared a heat hazard for the session, the third time in 2026. Shortly after the opening 10 minutes, drivers noticed the slippery conditions on the dusty circuit, with Russell sliding on the exit of Turn 14, just behind teammate Kimi Antonelli. Despite Mercedes' pace, Verstappen maintained his lead, closing the gap to Russell to just 0.049s. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc described the tyre degradation as \"insane,\" citing wobbles from Oscar Piastri and himself during the opening stages. Russell briefly took the lead with a 1:37.903 on soft tyres, but Verstappen responded to extend his lead by three tenths. Antonelli dropped to P5 on his first soft tyre run, with McLaren struggling throughout the session, with Norris and Piastri finishing P11 and P12, respectively, more than a second behind Verstappen.",
  "summary": "Max Verstappen has set the pace during the first free practice session at the Sepang International Circuit, hosting the Bahrain GP in the track's return to F1 for the first time since 2017. Verstappen topped the timing charts with a 1:37.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Bahrain GP lands in Malaysia: Sepang braces for F1 weekend like no other",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/bahrain-gp-lands-in-malaysia-sepang-braces-for-f1-weekend-like-no",
        "published": "2026-10-01T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}