Antonelli Rebounds to Top FP3 at Sepang After Mercedes Upgrade Struggles

Key points

• Antonelli topped FP3 with a 1m36.302s, 0.278s ahead of Verstappen, reversing Mercedes’ poor Friday results where they finished no higher than fifth.
• Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar took third, keeping both Red Bull cars in the top three, while George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes.
• A red flag at the 25-minute mark, caused by debris from Oliver Bearman’s Haas at Turn 10, interrupted the session and led to a shift toward soft tire runs.
• Charles Leclerc was the only driver to run the hard compound early on, finishing fifth, as tyre degradation remained a major factor on the abrasive Sepang surface.
• McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggled, finishing seventh and eighth, continuing their poor performance at the circuit since its return to the calendar.

Background

The Bahrain Grand Prix was rescheduled to Malaysia’s Sepang circuit after the original April event was cancelled due to Middle East unrest. This is the first time F1 has raced at Sepang since 2017. Mercedes brought a heavily upgraded W17, its first major update since the Canadian Grand Prix, but struggled with tyre degradation and setup issues on Friday. Antonelli, the 2026 championship leader, had won his eighth race at the Spanish Grand Prix in September, extending his lead over teammate George Russell.

How outlets are covering it

Motorsport.com emphasizes Antonelli’s recovery and Mercedes’ strong FP3 performance, highlighting the team’s ability to adapt overnight. BBC focuses on Russell’s assessment that Red Bull is the strongest car, noting that Mercedes’ upgrade is working better than expected but still requires setup adjustments. The Race describes Friday as 'confusing' due to tyre degradation and weather, while ESPN’s source was inaccessible. All outlets agree on the red flag caused by Bearman and the return of Sepang after 2017.

Why it matters

Antonelli’s FP3 performance suggests Mercedes’ upgrade package may be effective despite Friday’s struggles, potentially impacting the championship battle. Red Bull’s consistent pace across sessions indicates they remain a strong contender. The session’s focus on tyre degradation and the hard compound provides early insights into race strategy for the abrasive Sepang circuit.

What to watch

Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday, with grid penalties for Isack Hadjar (five places), Arvid Lindblad (engine penalty), and Franco Colapinto (10-place engine penalty plus five for a crash in Azerbaijan). The race will feature the Bahrain Grand Prix trophy and rosewater instead of champagne on the podium.