Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Charles Leclerc tops second practice but Red Bull and Max Verstappen impress on Friday

02.10.2026, 12:19 skysports.com

Charles Leclerc was fastest in second practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia but Red Bull impressed during Friday's running.

Leclerc was 0.099s quicker than Red Bull's Isack Hadjar, with McLaren's Lando Norris only 0.137s behind in a tight session which suggests four teams will have a shot at pole come qualifying on Saturday at 9am, live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event.

Max Verstappen was fourth but only 0.257s slower on the mediums, unusually deciding to not do a qualifying simulation on the softs.

Given Verstappen topped first practice and generally is quicker than Hadjar, he likely had the pace to also top second practice but chose to focus on long-run pace as tyre degradation was a major issue around the hot high-speed Sepang International Circuit.

Red Bull's race simulations were also strong on Friday so Verstappen could have a big chance at a first pole position of 2026 and, with it, a first win of the season.

Lewis Hamilton was three tenths slower than his team-mate in fifth, ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Hamilton is under investigation for allegedly blocking Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto when he veered across onto the racing line on a slow lap down to Turn Nine.

Meanwhile Mercedes had one of their most difficult Fridays this year.

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George Russell and Kimi Antonelli set their best lap times on the mediums after both had scruffy laps on the softs, but were not lighting up the sectors with quick times before their mistakes in the last sector.

More to follow...

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Saturday October 35.15am: Bahrain GP Practice Three (session starts at 5.30am)*8am: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up*9am: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING*

Sunday October 46.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Bahrain GP build-up*8am: THE BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX*10am: Chequered Flag: Bahrain GP reaction*

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is in Malaysia for the first time since 2017 as it hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit - watch Sunday's race at 8am (build-up from 6.30am), live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime