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Sepang International Circuit · main straight and grandstands, 2007

Davidson sees Red Bull as Mercedes’ biggest threat after Sepang practice

Archive photograph: Sepang International Circuit · main straight and grandstands, 2007 · 2007-11-25Archive photo · 2007-11-25 · mondayblues · CC BY-SA 3.0

Red Bull took second and third in final practice at Sepang, prompting former F1 driver Anthony Davidson to describe the team as Mercedes’ biggest threat.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Kimi Antonelli topped final practice at Sepang, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen second, 0.278 seconds behind, and team-mate Isack Hadjar third. George Russell was fourth in the other Mercedes, RacingNews365 reported.

Former Formula 1 driver Anthony Davidson said on Sky Sports F1 commentary after the session that Red Bull was quickly becoming Mercedes’ biggest threat on any given weekend, according to RacingNews365. The view follows a close finish in Baku, where Verstappen came home 0.196 seconds behind race winner Russell and Hadjar finished third.

Red Bull was still fourth in the constructors’ standings and had yet to win a grand prix in 2026. Verstappen said before the Sepang weekend that, despite recent podium finishes, he wanted at least one victory this season.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCERed Bull branded 'biggest threat' to Mercedes as F1 recovery gathers paceRacingNews365 English · Source date as found: 2026-10-03
Source context

RacingNews365 reported Davidson’s Sky Sports F1 comments and the Sepang practice results on 3 October 2026.