Formula 1 Qualifying Live: Kimi Antonelli Survives Q2 Scare as Mercedes Edge Out Red Bull at Sepang
Updated: October 3, 2026 — Live qualifying coverage from the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, where Formula 1 returns for the first time since 2017. Temperatures soared to 33°C in the air and 58°C on the track as the championship battle between Mercedes teammates Kimi Antonelli and George Russell took centre stage.
Q1: Verstappen Sets the Pace, Six Cars Eliminated
Qualifying got under way with Esteban Ocon the first driver out on track. Max Verstappen laid down an early marker with a 1:36.477 lap on medium tyres, finishing half a second clear of Kimi Antonelli. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc slotted in behind the Red Bull, while Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris made it comfortably into the top 10.
Isack Hadjar also went faster than both Mercedes drivers in the opening session, suggesting strong pace from the Red Bull pair.
Q1 Final Standings — Top 10:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — 1:36.477
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
Eliminated: Nico Hülkenberg (Audi), Oliver Bearman (Haas), Esteban Ocon (Haas), Alex Albon (Williams), Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac), Sergio Pérez (Cadillac).
Q2: Antonelli’s Track Limits Penalty Sparks Tension
The second session saw Verstappen improve dramatically, carving almost a second off his Q1 time with a scorching 1:35.696. Antonelli followed up but was penalised for breaching track limits on turn 6, wiping his best time. The Mercedes driver was forced to grab another set of soft tyres to salvage a qualifying run.
Toto Wolff was seen wearing a stern expression in the pit lane as the pressure mounted — beads of sweat visible on his forehead, though it was difficult to tell whether that was from nerves or the oppressive humidity.
With four minutes remaining, Antonelli came in for fresh softs. Verstappen still sat top by 0.274s ahead of Leclerc, with Hamilton and Norris also looking comfortable.
Verstappen was shown a black and white flag for driving too slowly — deliberately trying to preserve his tyres on the scorching 58°C surface.
Q2 Final Standings:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — 1:35.696
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) — +0.263
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
Out: Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Carlos Sainz (Williams), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls).
Both Aston Martins Through to Q2
Despite the pressure, Fernando Alonso reached Q2 for only the second time this season, benefiting from a one-year contract extension signed earlier in the week. His teammate Lance Stroll also progressed, while Gabriel Bortoleto saved his skin with a fine lap to sneak into the top 10.
Q3 Gets Under Way: Russell Heads Out First
With Q3 commencing, Russell was the first driver on track as Mercedes looked to maximise their final opportunity. Gasly and Bortoleto were the drivers nervously watching from the sidelines, fighting for the last two slots in the top 10.
Q3 Conclusion: Grid Settled for Tomorrow’s Race
Kimi Antonelli made it safely through to Q3, finishing second behind Verstappen — though it was in doubt for a while after his track limits penalty. The Italian responded well under pressure, taking extra care on turn 6 and responding with a solid lap to secure P2, 0.263s off the Red Bull.
Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto took the final two qualifying spots, while Liam Lawson just missed out, ending his session in 11th.
The prospect of a comeback from Russell, applying pressure to his 20-year-old teammate who is in only his second season in F1, might put Mercedes under pressure in managing them. The team insist they will continue to allow their current drivers to race one another.
Championship Context and Grid Penalties
Heading into qualifying, Antonelli held a 66-point lead at the top of the standings over Russell, with Hamilton 103 points behind in third. The stakes were high for Mercedes, especially after Russell’s victory in Baku the previous weekend.
Several drivers will carry grid-place penalties into tomorrow’s race after exceeding their ICE allocations. Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad, and Franco Colapinto are all affected. Colapinto already had a five-place penalty following his collision with Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris at the Azerbaijan GP.
Ferrari Team Principal Controversy
Away from the track, Lewis Hamilton came out in support of Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur amid speculation that Christian Horner could replace him. “People can continue with the negative narrative but inside, everyone is working really hard,” Hamilton said. Ferrari issued a statement affirming they have “full confidence” in Vasseur, who stressed the need for stability and serenity within the team.
Looking Ahead
With qualifying complete, attention turns to tomorrow’s race at Sepang — declared a heat-hazard event due to extreme temperatures. Unlike next weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, both qualifying and the race in Malaysia will take place during daylight hours, meaning track temperatures will have a significant impact on tyre strategy.
Mercedes showed marked improvement from Friday’s third practice, where Antonelli was fastest with a 1:36.302, after Russell and Antonelli had been only seventh and eighth in the earlier session. Bradley Lord, Mercedes deputy team principal, acknowledged the challenge: “It’s probably been one of our toughest Fridays of the season so far.”
Note: This article is based on a fictional/hypothetical live blog scenario provided for content creation purposes. Details, driver names, team performances, and race events described are not real-world events.
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