Max Verstappen once again reminded everyone that on old circuits it is not the machinery that wins, but muscle memory and self-confidence. In the first practice session of the Grand Prix at Sepang, restored to the calendar, the Dutchman set the best time — 1:37.520, beating George Russell by 0,383 seconds.
Sepang, which had not hosted Formula 1 since 2017, greeted the drivers with heat, humidity and an abrasive surface that quickly wore down the tyres. Verstappen, the last winner here nine years ago, quickly found his rhythm in the Red Bull, while many newcomers to the circuit struggled with loss of grip.
Mercedes brought a major upgrade package — a new floor and rear bodywork — and Russell immediately set the second-best time. However, over long runs the Briton's tyre wear proved noticeably higher than Verstappen's. It brought to mind an old saying: "A new house does not become home right away."
The second Red Bull car with Isack Hadjar took third place, while Ferrari and Mercedes shared places in the middle of the top 5. Kimi Antonelli leads the championship, but in fifth position he was more than a second adrift — a sign that youth and talent do not always compensate for a lack of experience on a demanding circuit.
The race's move from Bahrain to Malaysia because of the conflict in the Middle East added logistical complications, but for Red Bull it became an advantage: the team adapted to the new conditions more quickly. Verstappen, like an experienced navigator in unfamiliar waters, used the soft tyres for a quick reference point while his rivals experimented.
The result of the first practice session is not just a time on the board. It shows that in Formula 1 of 2026, where upgrades and young talents shift the balance of power, the decisive factor remains the ability to read the track quickly and manage tyre wear. Sepang merely confirmed: old champions return to familiar laps with ready answers.
