Verstappen Fastest, Leclerc Quickest in FP2 as Sepang Reminds F1 Why It's an Old-School Test
Formula 1 cars were back on track at Sepang for the first time in almost a decade on Friday, and it was Max Verstappen who set the tone, topping FP1 with a 1m 37.520s that proved nearly four tenths clear of the field. Russell was his closest challenger, with Hadjar impressing in third despite running what he described as 'zero fronts' on the car. Leclerc and Antonelli rounded out the top five for Ferrari and Mercedes respectively, while Mercedes spent the session quietly working through their first major upgrade package since Canada; new bodywork, sidepods, floor, diffuser and rear suspension all arriving together.
The old-school nature of the track showed itself quickly. Surrounded by gravel traps and grass rather than modern run-off, Sepang punishes mistakes in a way few current circuits do, and with temperatures pushing past 50 degrees on the tarmac, tyre degradation was a constant theme of conversation all day. Red Bull also flagged an overheating issue they'll need to address before FP2.
Rain threatened for most of FP2 without quite arriving, prompting several teams to send their drivers out early on soft tyres just in case. That gamble paid off for Leclerc, who went top late in the session with a 1m 37.528s, just over a tenth clear of Hadjar and Norris. Verstappen settled for fourth this time, with both Mercedes drivers further back after mistakes at the final corner cost each of them a shot at a cleaner lap.
The session wasn't without its moments. Bortoleto came to a stop out on track with what looked like a hydraulics or gearbox issue, bringing out a Virtual Safety Car, and he later picked up a separate warning for impeding Hamilton that stewards said would be investigated after the session.
It capped an eventful return to a track with real history behind it, the last Grand Prix held here, back in 2017, was won by Verstappen himself, with Hamilton and Alonso the only other multiple winners at this circuit among the current field. Of this weekend's 22 drivers, 11 have now driven here in an F1 car in some capacity, counting Leclerc's FP1 outing for Sauber that same year. For the rest, Friday was their first real introduction to a layout many still regard as one of Formula 1's great Hermann Tilke designs.