Bahrain GP in Malaysia: Charles Leclerc tops second practice but Red Bull and Max Verstappen impress on Friday | F1 News
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.
“I think we had a decent start. The track is tricky, it’s really hot, a lot of degradation and so a lot of things to figure out. But it has been positive,” said Verstappen, who won the last F1 race in Malaysia in 2017.
Max Verstappen did not top second practice but had an impressive day (Red Bull Content Pool)
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, despite introducing their biggest upgrade package to the car since May’s Canadian Grand Prix.
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Sky Sports’ Bernie Collins takes a look at Mercedes upgrades as they head into the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
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.
Antonelli ran wide at the penultimate corner while Russell went deep at the final corner and was forced to take to the pit lane.
It was thought Mercedes would dominate this weekend with their upgrades, which include a new floor, rear suspension and rear corner but Red Bull appear to be the team to beat.
Sky Sports F1’s live schedule Bahrain GP in Malaysia
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Relive the last time an F1 Grand Prix was held in Malaysia back in 2017
Saturday October 3
5.15am: Bahrain GP Practice Three (session starts at 5.30am)*
8am: Bahrain GP Qualifying build-up*
9am: BAHRAIN GP QUALIFYING*
Sunday October 4
6.30am: 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
