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Latest development:
Imola could host the 2026 F1 finale if Qatar and Abu Dhabi are cancelled; Antonelli would clinch the title with an Austin win under the proposed five-race schedule.
Max Verstappen converted pole into his first Singapore Grand Prix victory, holding off Charles Leclerc.
Max Verstappen won the rain-delayed Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia by 2.307 seconds, earning his first victory of 2026 and the first Grand Prix win for Red Bull Ford Powertrains. Kimi Antonelli finished second and now leads George Russell by 84 points after the Mercedes driver retired, GPBeat reports.
The Mercedes driver says even a stronger final lap might only have lifted him to second or third after a disrupted qualifying session.
George Russell says Mercedes cannot yet assess its W17 upgrade after a difficult qualifying session, despite wind-tunnel figures meeting expectations.
After Verstappen’s pole, Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies credited recent development but warned that race pace and tyre wear remain Sunday’s test.
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.
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.
Mercedes’ upgraded W17 proved difficult to set up in practice at Sepang, giving the team work to do before qualifying.
George Russell says tyre overheating is blunting the benefit of Mercedes’ latest update after a difficult Friday practice at Sepang.
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.
Kimi Antonelli says he deliberately eased his approach in Baku after a qualifying error, finishing fifth as George Russell narrowed his championship lead.
RacingNews365 says Mercedes has added turquoise to its W17 for a Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled to take place in Malaysia on 4 October.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has praised Max Verstappen’s judgement in traffic, using a moment in Madrid to explain what impressed him.
Kimi Antonelli recovered from 16th to fifth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but his Mercedes team-mate George Russell cut his championship lead to 66 points.
George Russell beat Charles Leclerc to pole in Baku by more than 0.8 seconds, while Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli crashed during Q1 and could not take part in Q2.
George Russell also topped the second free practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli made it a Mercedes one-two; Max Verstappen finished third.
George Russell finished the first free practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix fastest, ahead of Max Verstappen. Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli stopped after around 25 minutes and finished fifth.
Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar had to end their first free practice session in Baku early because of technical problems, RacingNews365 reports. Antonelli reported a hydraulic failure; Hadjar experienced several problems with his car.