Verstappen sets the fastest time in Malaysia practice, Antonelli with problems

It was a less smooth day for championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who had to deal with technical problems in the Mercedes and had to settle for a position with a significant gap. For the Italian, who leads the drivers' standings, every practice session on a technically demanding track like Sepang is important for gathering data for the race setup. Mercedes teammate George Russell, on the other hand, delivered his usual solid form and placed himself in the middle of the timesheet.

The Sepang challenge

The Sepang circuit places special demands on man and machine with its long straights, tropical temperatures, and high humidity. Tire wear is traditionally high on this track, which is why the long runs in the Friday sessions provide teams with particularly important insights. The weather conditions on the practice day were considered typical for the region, with changing wind conditions and oppressive sultriness.

In addition to the front-runners, Isack Hadjar also drew attention. The young pilot delivered a strong performance in practice and indicated that he can also drive into the points-paying positions in Malaysia. For the smaller teams, Sepang is a particular challenge, as the power sensitivity of the track often shifts the pecking order in favor of the engine-strong manufacturers.

Outlook on the race weekend

Verstappen looks confidently ahead to the weekend. The Dutchman has already triumphed multiple times in Malaysia during his career and is regarded as a specialist for tracks that demand precision at the limit. If he carries his practice form into qualifying and the race, he is likely to have a say in the fight for pole and the win. The race will start on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. CEST and will be broadcast live on ServusTV and Sky.

The situation ahead of qualifying is wide open: Verstappen leads the practice rankings, but Ferrari seems closer than recently. Mercedes and Antonelli need a significant improvement in order not to lose touch with the front. The upcoming practice sessions on Saturday will show which team has found the optimal setup for the race.