F1: Antonelli Gets Qualifying Boost After Topping Final Practice

SEPANG, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One (F1) racer Kimi Antonelli received a massive boost ahead of today's qualifying session after setting the fastest time in the third and final free practice session of the 2026 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) here today.

Antonelli, who finished fifth in the opening practice (1:38.58 seconds) and eighth in the second practice (1:38.020s) yesterday, clocked the fastest lap of 1:36.302s in the final practice session.

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, who was fastest in the first free practice session, finished second in 1:36.580s, while his compatriot Isack Hadjar was third in 1:36.860s.

Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who topped the second practice session yesterday, settled for fifth after clocking 1:37.016s.

Rreigning world champion Lando Norris of McLaren was seventh in 1:37.161s.

The qualifying session is scheduled to begin at 4 pm today.

In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as the host of the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain GP from Oct 2 to 4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.

The agreement allowed the Bahrain GP to remain on the 2026 F1 calendar after the race, initially scheduled for earlier this season, was cancelled due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian GP at SIC from 1999 to 2017 before it was dropped from the F1 calendar.

-- BERNAMA