Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was then the top man in today’s F1 second session

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was then the top man in today’s F1 second session of the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 at Sepang International Circuit.

Leclerc had a best lap time of 1:37.528 to beat Red Bull Racing’s Isack Hadjar by a mere 0.099s. Defending world champion Lando Norris of McLaren was third 0.137s behind. Hadjar’s teammate Max Verstappen came fourth 0.257s back, and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was fifth 0.305s adrift.

Also in the top 10 were McLaren’s Piastri (+0.371s), Mercedes’ George Russell (+0.492s) and Kimi Antonelli (+0.532s), Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson (+0.968s), and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly (+1.060s).

Completing the classification were Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad, Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, Haas’ Esteban Ocon, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Haas’ Oliver Bearman, Williams’ Carlos Sainz, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas, Williams’ Alexander Albon, Cadillac’s Sergio Perez, and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.

F1 returns to the track on Saturday for a third 60-minute practice, which will run from 12.30pm local time/7.30am Bahrain time. Qualifying will then follow at 4pm local time/11am Bahrain time, setting the starting grid for the 56-lap F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, which will be held on Sunday at 3pm local time/10am Bahrain time.