Kuala Lumpur:Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 world champion, demonstrated his enduring skill at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia during the first practice session for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, clinched the top spot with a time of 1 minute 37.520 seconds, displaying dominance on a hot and sunny afternoon. This achievement comes nine years after his last victory at the Sepang circuit, where he was the final champion of the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2017.

In the same session, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team's George Russell posted the second-fastest time at 137.903s, trailing Verstappen by 0.383 seconds. Verstappen's teammate, Isack Hadjar, secured the third position with a time of 138.303s. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc followed closely, finishing fourth with a time of 138.367s. Current drivers' championship leader, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, placed fifth, clocking in at 138.580s. Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, also driving for Ferrari, was sixth with a time of 138.590s.

Reigning world champion Lando Norris from McLaren faced challenges, finishing 12th with a time of 139.293s in the first practice session.

The second free practice session is scheduled to commence at 4 pm today, continuing the event's activities.

In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host for the Gulf Air Bahrain GP, scheduled from October 2 to 4, following an agreement with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain. This agreement ensures the Bahrain GP remains on the 2026 F1 calendar after its earlier cancellation this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Malaysia had previously hosted the Malaysian GP at the Sepang International Circuit from 1999 to 2017 before the race was removed from the F1 calendar.