Ferrari close ranks behind Vasseur as Hamilton and Leclerc voice support amid podium drought

The Formula 1 paddock's return to Sepang — staging the Bahrain Grand Prix for the first time in around a decade — has been dominated by one team: Ferrari.

Wall of support for Vasseur

Team Principal Fred Vasseur's future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, with the Scuderia enduring a run of five Grands Prix without a podium.

But Ferrari have moved to shut down the noise. The team said earlier in the week that they backed the Frenchman — and on Thursday, drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc strongly voiced their support, too.

Plenty more for the paddock to chew over

Ferrari's internal politics were far from the only story doing the rounds as the sport settled back into life at Sepang. Mercedes revealed a special livery for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, while other talking points flagged in the paddock included Lando Norris explaining his apology to Franco Colapinto over his Baku comments, Max Verstappen naming the one thing he wants before 2026 is out, and why there is still hope for George Russell in the 2026 title race.

With a fresh chapter of F1's Malaysian history being written, expect the focus to stay firmly on Ferrari — and on whether the Scuderia can end their podium drought — as the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend unfolds.