Verstappen Goes Own Way to Avoid the Rain
Verstappen finished fourth in FP2 after a medium-tyre long run that gave Red Bull race data and left him unsure of progress.
- On Friday, Max Verstappen eschewed soft tires during the second practice session at the Sepang International Circuit, focusing instead on long runs with medium compounds for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
- The FIA estimated a 90% chance of rain ahead of FP2, prompting teams to accelerate long runs, while track temperatures exceeding 60C caused severe tire degradation on the low-grip surface.
- Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache explained the team prioritized tire degradation data over qualifying simulations. Verstappen said, "I wanted to do a long run in case there was some rain coming in."
- Verstappen finished fourth fastest behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, while McLaren's Oscar Piastri observed, "It looks pretty close amongst the top four teams."
- Lap times proved four and a half seconds slower than expected due to the poor track surface, leaving Verstappen one final practice opportunity on Saturday before the crucial qualifying session.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Why Verstappen’s unusual run plan highlights F1 teams’ biggest challenge in Malaysia
Max Verstappen did not complete a qualifying simulation due to the threat of rain, but according to Pirelli that approach fits perfectly with F1 teams’ biggest challenge this weekend: keeping thermal degradation under control on Sunday. However, that is much easier said than done
Radio France Internationale
Verstappen goes own way to avoid the rain
His decision resulted in him finishing fourth fastest behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, but he gained valuable data and insight into conditions that were close to those expected for Sunday's race. "I think we had a decent start, but it's tricky," said the four-time world champion, who won the last Formula One race at the Sepang International Circuit in 2017 and topped the times on softs in opening practice.…
Max Verstappen got off to a good start on Friday at his weekend in Kuala Lumpur. Will the Red Bull Racing driver hold onto that good feeling in the final practice session before qualifying in Malaysia? Follow it here from 06:30!
Max Verstappen was fastest in the first Friday practice session before the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, then dropped to fourth position in the second hour of preparation at Sepang.
On Friday of the 2026 F1 Bahrain Grand Prix (held in Malaysia), Red Bull's Max Verstappen was 1st in Free Practice 1 and 4th in Free Practice 2. In FP2, he set his times on medium tires instead of soft tires, and soft tires […]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
