{
  "id": 11409340,
  "title": "Verstappen sets pace as F1 returns to Sepang, McLaren struggles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/verstappen-sets-pace-as-f1-returns-to-sepang-mclaren-struggles",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T09:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/sports/127906/verstappen-sets-pace-as-f1-returns-to-sepang-mclaren-struggles"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "MAX Verstappen set the pace in the opening practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit today, beating George Russell and team-mate Isack Hadjar as Formula One returned to Malaysia for the first time since 2017. Ver...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Leclerc fastest in second practice in Sepang after Verstappen sets early pace",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/leclerc-fastest-in-second-practice-in-sepang-after-verstappen-sets",
        "published": "2026-10-02T09:47:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}