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Kimi Antonelli led final practice at Sepang ahead of Max Verstappen, giving Mercedes an encouraging result before qualifying, though team-mate George Russell was fourth.
A bollard beside the pit-lane entrance has been moved ahead of third practice, with the aim of giving drivers who run wide a way back onto the circuit.
Mercedes’ upgraded W17 proved difficult to set up in practice at Sepang, giving the team work to do before qualifying.
Oscar Piastri hopes McLaren can keep improving at Sepang after both its drivers moved up the order between Friday’s practice sessions.
Fred Vasseur has called for calm at Ferrari after a week of speculation about his future as team principal.
Charles Leclerc topped Friday’s second practice session but expects tyre degradation to be a significant challenge in the race.
Liam Lawson says tyre management will be key in qualifying after two top-ten finishes in Friday practice at Sepang.
Pirelli’s Simone Berra says the asphalt is shedding small stones during practice at Sepang, with further sweeping planned before the race.
Red Bull’s team principal says a future need to make difficult calls between Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar would be a sign of strength.
Lindblad says he has apologised to Lawson and Racing Bulls after their Baku collision, and knows what he would do differently in future.
With Formula 1 due back at Portimão in 2027, Verstappen says the current cars are ill-suited to circuits and questions the quality of battery-influenced overtaking.
James Vowles wants changes to F1’s cost cap, saying its financial benefits have not helped midfield teams close the gap to the leaders.
George Russell says tyre overheating is blunting the benefit of Mercedes’ latest update after a difficult Friday practice at Sepang.
Isack Hadjar believes Red Bull can fight at the front this weekend, though he is still unhappy with his car’s balance.
Lewis Hamilton has received a warning and Ferrari a €10,000 fine following a stewards’ review of an incident involving Gabriel Bortoleto.
Qualifying on Saturday 3 October is scheduled to start at 16:00 in Malaysia, or 10:00 in the Netherlands.
Martin Brundle says Christian Horner described his Ferrari praise as polite and respectful, while Brundle played down talk of a particular F1 role.
George Russell says Mercedes must improve its tyre management after second practice at Sepang, where he and Kimi Antonelli finished seventh and eighth.
A Red Bull mechanic appeared to signal Isack to move off as Charles Leclerc passed behind him in Malaysia, RacingNews365 reports.
Both Red Bull drivers see the remaining 2026 races as a chance to learn, while Verstappen says the car and power unit need a much bigger step for 2027.
Sepang’s starting grid has been repainted before the Formula 1 weekend after pole position was marked on the wrong side of the track.
An FIA report lists power-unit allocation breaches for Hadjar, Lindblad and Colapinto ahead of the Formula 1 event in Malaysia.
Russell has narrowed Antonelli’s championship lead to 66 points. Martin Brundle thinks their rivalry could strengthen Russell’s late-season challenge.
Mercedes’ latest F1 upgrade includes reshaped sidepods alongside floor changes, with George Russell hoping the package will help at difficult circuits.
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