Max Verstappen heads F1 rivals as Sepang makes return with soaring temperatures

Max Verstappen has ended the opening practice session from the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on top of the timesheet.

F1 returned to Sepang for the first time in eight years as the circuit stands in as the host of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

As the most recent race winner around the circuit, Verstappen continued where he left off by pumping in the fastest time of the session, clocking a 1:37.520.

His effort placed him three-tenths of a second ahead of George Russell in the leading Mercedes.

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The F1 drivers were subject to very hot conditions during the session, with the air temperature reaching 33°C during the 60-minute session.

It also caused the track temperature to peak at upwards of 58°C, causing strain for the tyres.

With Verstappen heading the field at the end of FP1 ahead of Russell, the second Red Bull of Isack Hadjar was third fastest - albeit almost eight-tenths down on his team-mate.

Charles Leclerc was the leading Ferrari driver in fourth, ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli enters the race weekend looking to protect his 66-point lead in the standings, having lost ground to Russell last time out in Baku.

Lewis Hamilton was sixth fastest in the second Ferrari, with the seven-time champion entering the weekend hoping to add to the sole victory he has at the event.

Pierre Gasly, whose F1 debut took place the last time F1 ventured to Sepang, was seventh for Alpine.

The Racing Bulls duo of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad were eighth and ninth respectively, while Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top 10.

A number of engine-related grid penalties were confirmed during the session - including for Red Bull's Hadjar.

He will take a drop alongside Lindblad, whose significant engine overhaul will send him to the back of the grid on Sunday.

Franco Colapinto has also taken on a new engine to secure himself a grid drop that will be served alongside the penalty he carries over from Baku, when he caused a multi-car collision at a safety car restart.