2026 F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP2 – Highlights and Reaction

Welcome to Total-Motorsport.com for live coverage of FP2 at the 2026 F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia, as Formula 1 continues its return to Sepang following an intriguing opening practice session.

Max Verstappen set the pace in FP1 for Red Bull Racing with a 1:37.520, finishing 0.383 seconds ahead of George Russell. Isack Hadjar completed the top three, while Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton followed.

FP2 begins at 16:00 local time in Malaysia, with teams expected to switch their focus towards qualifying simulations and longer race runs. Hot and humid conditions remain a major factor at Sepang, while the abrasive surface and the continued threat of tropical rain should make the second session especially valuable.

F1 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP2 LIVE: Latest Updates

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RESULTS: How they finished on Friday

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in FP2 at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia, putting Ferrari on top at the Sepang International Circuit on Friday.

FP1 pace-setter Max Verstappen finished fourth despite not completing a soft-tyre qualifying run, whilst Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five.

Here are the results:

Pos	Driver	Team	Time
1	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1:37.528
2	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	+0.099
3	Lando Norris	McLaren	+0.137
4	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+0.257
5	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.305
6	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.371
7	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.492
8	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+0.532
9	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+0.968
10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.060
11	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+1.352
12	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+1.523
13	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.581
14	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+1.833
15	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+1.950
16	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+2.178
17	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+2.402
18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+2.622
19	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+2.658
20	Alexander Albon	Williams	+2.693
21	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3.410
22	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+5.863

CHEQUERED FLAG: Leclerc leads FP1

Max Verstappen had come into the pit lane to spark speculation that he could finally be poised to deliver a last-gasp effort on the soft tyres, but it never materialised leaving Charles Leclerc to top FP1!

The Monegasque took a big step forwards to find around half-a-second between the sessions and it turned out that his 1:37.528 was good enough to remain the benchmark.

Isack Hadjar was second for Red Bull whilst Lando Norris was third for McLaren in a competitive field that sees 10th-placed Pierre Gasly just over a second away.

3 minutes to go: Virtual Safety Car deployed

Gabriel Bortoleto’s afternoon comes to a slightly early end at the Sepang International Circuit as he pulls over to the side of the raod and hopes out of his Audi.

The Brazilian has had a mechanical failure that sounded awful on the gearbox, and he will be hoping it doesn’t have to be replaced ahead of Free Practice 3.

That could possibly land him grid penalty if he’s exceeded his allocation.

10 minutes to go: Leclerc leads but is it an illusion?

Charles Leclerc currently tops the session with a 1:27.528, ahead of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar by 0.099s, in an encouraging step for Ferrari after their poor FP1.

But is topping the session an illusion? Max Verstappen in fourth is 0.257s off-the-pace but he has used the medium tyre throughout the day whilst Leclerc set his time on the soft.

Likewise for the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, half-a-second back. Is he fourth-quickest at best?

Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1:37.528
2	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	+0.099
3	Lando Norris	McLaren	+0.137
4	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+0.257
5	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.305
6	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.371
7	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.492
8	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+0.532
9	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+0.968
10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.060
11	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+1.352
12	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+1.523
13	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.581
14	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+1.833
15	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+1.950
16	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+2.178
17	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+2.402
18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+2.622
19	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+2.658
20	Alexander Albon	Williams	+2.693
21	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3.410
22	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+5.863

22 minutes to go: Big moment for Bortoleto!

Gabriel Borotleto looks to go around the outside of Arvid Lindblad at Turn 3 but runs wide and bottoms out, skipping across the kerb in dramatic fashion.

The Audi and Racing Bulls pair are coming back at each other for round two the Sepang International Circuit.

This is a great dress rehearsal for Sunday!

25 minutes to go: Drivers settling into long run practice

Drivers focused on getting qualifying laps in earlier on into the session for a change as there was a risk of rain at the Sepang International Circuit.

But that hasn’t materialised and now the drivers are shifting over to their race run preparation, with Lewis Hamilton being told to target a lap time in the 1:44s.

That’s around seven seconds slower than the quickest time.

30 minutes ago: Pirelli bring C2, C3 and C4 compounds to Sepang

Pirelli have selected the C2 Hard, C3 Medium and C4 Soft tyres for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, and the choice is one step more aggressive than the hardest possible combination.

The aim is to create a strategic battle between one-stop and two-stop approaches as Sepang’s asphalt is considerably harsher than the surface teams encountered in Azerbaijan.

Abrasive surfaces have hurt Ferrari in this campaign, so are the Scuderia on the back foot once again?

35 minutes to go: Ferrari take over as Hamilton gets noted by FIA

Charles Leclerc is now fastest overall with a 1:37.529 for Ferrari to lead McLaren’s Lando Norris by 0.117s with Max Verstappen shuffled down to third.

Verstappen is yet to do a lap on the soft tyre, however, so that bodes well for the four-time Formula 1 champion if he eventually wants to use the soft.

Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton has been noted by the FIA for impeding Gabriel Bortoleto as the 41-year-old appeared to drift over to the racing line and block the Audi driver.

However, he says has an issue with his mirror and couldn’t see the young Brazilian.

40 minutes to go: Verstappen leads the way

Max Verstappen sets the early benchmark in this Free Practice 2 session as the 71-time Grand Prix winner punches in a 1:37.785 on the medium compound.

George Russell is a couple of tenths behind for Mercedes so the Silver Arrows have managed to find two tenths on that basis from FP1 to FP2 but it’s not enough.

Charles Leclerc slots into third for Ferrari and Kimi Antonelli is in fourth, but only 0.275s away in a tight Top 4.

Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1:37.785
2	George Russell	Mercedes	+0.235
3	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+0.254
4	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+0.275
5	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+0.711
6	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.792
7	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+0.892
8	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+1.095
9	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	+1.221
10	Lando Norris	McLaren	+1.244
11	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+1.380
12	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+1.576
13	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	+1.649
14	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+1.917
15	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+1.921
16	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+2.145
17	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+2.196
18	Alexander Albon	Williams	+2.462
19	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	+2.895
20	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3.153
21	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+5.606
22	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	No Time

45 minutes to go: Grid penalties confirmed at Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Three drivers are currently set to face grid penalties for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia at Sepang. Franco Colapinto will take a 15-place drop after his Azerbaijan GP collision with teammate Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris and for new engine parts.

Isack Hadjar also faces a five-place penalty after exceeding his permitted power-unit allocation for Red Bull, and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad is set to start from the back of the grid after also fitting additional power-unit components.

Colapinto and Hadjar will need to recover positions immediately, while Lindblad faces the longest climb in Sunday’s race at the Sepang International Circuit.

50 minutes to go: What are Mercedes targeting with Sepang upgrades?

Mercedes has introduced a major aerodynamic package for the W17 at Sepang, with revised sidepods, floor components and bodywork aimed at improving airflow toward the rear of the car.

The priority is to add downforce without creating extra drag, while addressing some of the car’s weaker performance in slower corners and corner exits.

Mercedes also wants a wider setup window, allowing the W17 to remain effective across different circuit characteristics and conditions to shrug off Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren.

Kimi Antonelli has been told the package could be worth around three tenths per lap, although practice will determine whether that projected gain appears on track.

55 minutes to go: What to expect from Sepang?

The Sepang International Circuit is one of Formula 1’s most demanding venues, combining long straights with fast, flowing corners and heavy braking zones.

The 5.543-kilometer track is known for its wide layout and harsh track surface, which creates multiple overtaking opportunities and allows drivers to take different racing lines.

Whilst its tropical climate adds another challenge, with high temperatures, humidity and the possibility of sudden heavy rain giving drivers another factor to consider along with tyre management – also important because the circuit places significant loads through the corners.

The long Turn 12-to-15 sequence provide opportunities to attack into Turn 1 but in classic Tilke fashion, drivers then have the chance to fight back into Turn 1.

GREEN FLAG: FP2 begins in Southeast Asia

We have cars coming out of the pit lane and onto the Sepang International Circuit to signal that Free Practice 2 is officially underway for another hour of running.

Ferrari and McLaren face big questions as to whether they can up their pace after pretty dismal FP2s that saw Charles Leclerc eight tenths off, and Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri over a second away.

Is this going to be a tough weekend for those two teams?

Welcome to the Blog!

Thanks for joining Total-Motorsport.com of this coverage of Free Practice 2 as Max Verstappen and Red Bull aim to keep their momentum going after topping Free Practice 1.

But with an upgraded W17 at hand, can Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and George Russell fight back at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia on this Friday afternoon in Asia?

Find out here with Total-Motorsport.com.

Verstappen sets early benchmark at Sepang

Verstappen wasted little time reminding the field of his strength around Sepang as Formula 1 returned to the circuit for the first time since 2017. The Dutchman produced a 1:37.520 on the Soft tyre to finish comfortably clear of Russell at the end of FP1.

That performance continued an encouraging run for Red Bull Racing, who have looked increasingly competitive over the last few rounds. Verstappen was particularly strong once the circuit began to clean up and the field switched onto the C4 Soft compound.

The four-time world champion already knows how to win at Sepang after taking victory in the final Malaysian Grand Prix held here nine years ago. That previous experience appeared useful as several drivers unfamiliar with the venue spent FP1 simply building confidence and learning references.

FP2 should provide a clearer indication of whether Red Bull Racing can genuinely challenge Mercedes across both one-lap pace and longer stints. The later start time should also bring conditions closer to those expected during Qualifying on Saturday.

Russell keeps Mercedes close despite Red Bull pace

Russell finished second in FP1 with a 1:37.903, leaving him 0.383 seconds behind Verstappen. The Mercedes driver looked comfortable from the opening laps despite never previously racing a Formula 1 car at Sepang.

His first session was also significant because Mercedes are running a substantial upgrade package this weekend. Revised sidepods, floor elements and bodywork are among the changes being evaluated as the team attempts to strengthen an already dominant 2026 package.

FP1 offered the first real-world opportunity to assess whether those updates behave as expected, but the headline times only tell part of the story. FP2 should provide more useful comparisons once both Russell and Antonelli complete representative qualifying and race simulations.

The championship picture adds another layer because Russell arrives 66 points behind his teammate following victory in Azerbaijan. Another strong weekend would keep the pressure on Antonelli heading deeper into the final stages of the season.

Antonelli looks for cleaner second session

Antonelli finished fifth in FP1 after a more difficult opening hour than his championship rival. His 1:38.580 left him 1.060 seconds behind Verstappen and more than six tenths away from Russell.

The Italian had several untidy moments as he adapted to a circuit he had never previously driven in real Formula 1 machinery. He also returned to the Medium tyre late in the session as Mercedes gathered additional data rather than continuing to chase a headline lap time.

FP2 should offer a better indication of Antonelli’s true pace once the track becomes more representative. The championship leader has repeatedly shown an ability to improve quickly across a weekend after less spectacular opening practice sessions.

His priority will be understanding how the updated W17 manages Sepang’s abrasive surface over longer runs. Antonelli leads the championship by 66 points, but Russell’s recent form means there is little room for a sustained dip in performance.

Hadjar continues strong form after Baku podium

Hadjar backed up his Azerbaijan podium by finishing third in FP1 at Sepang. His 1:38.303 left him 0.783 seconds behind Verstappen and confirmed that both Red Bull Racing cars have started the weekend competitively.

The Frenchman briefly moved to the top of the timesheets when several drivers switched to the Soft tyre before Russell and Verstappen responded. His final position was especially encouraging given the physical demands of Sepang only one week after returning from a wrist injury.

FP2 should reveal more about Hadjar’s long-run pace and whether he can remain close enough to Verstappen to give the team two strategic options later in the weekend. Sepang’s high temperatures and sustained cornering loads will provide a sterner test than Baku.

However, Hadjar is already facing a more complicated race weekend because power-unit changes are expected to bring a grid penalty. That makes Friday running even more important as he attempts to maximise qualifying and race preparation.

Leclerc and Hamilton keep Ferrari in contention

Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari with a 1:38.367, while Hamilton was sixth on a 1:38.590. Only 0.223 seconds separated the two teammates as the Scuderia completed a relatively straightforward opening session.

The pair briefly moved into contention at the front when the Soft tyre runs began, with Leclerc getting within 0.064 seconds of Hadjar’s provisional benchmark. Russell and Verstappen subsequently lowered the pace, leaving Ferrari with work to do before FP2.

Sepang should provide a useful measure of the SF-26 because the circuit combines long straights with fast directional changes and medium-speed corners. A car that performs consistently across those sections is likely to remain competitive throughout the weekend.

Hamilton also brings valuable previous experience to the team after racing multiple times at Sepang earlier in his career. That familiarity could help Ferrari interpret setup changes more quickly than teams whose drivers are learning the circuit from scratch.

McLaren begin weekend outside top 10

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris endured a subdued opening session for McLaren. Piastri finished 11th, with reigning champion Norris immediately behind in 12th.

The pair were separated by only 0.017 seconds but both ended more than 1.7 seconds behind Verstappen. McLaren were experimenting with different rear-wing configurations between the two cars, suggesting the opening hour was focused more heavily on comparison work than outright pace.

Neither driver had previously raced a Formula 1 car at Sepang, making Friday’s learning process especially important. The circuit’s combination of high-speed corners and tyre degradation means setup confidence should improve considerably with mileage.

FP2 will be a much more revealing session for the MCL40. If McLaren remain outside the top 10 during representative Soft tyre runs, concern may begin to grow ahead of Saturday.

Gasly impresses with Alpine pace

Pierre Gasly produced an encouraging opening session for Alpine by finishing seventh. His 1:38.715 also included the fastest first sector at one stage, suggesting genuine underlying pace.

The Frenchman is looking to rebound after a difficult Azerbaijan GP and immediately appeared more comfortable at Sepang. The combination of high-speed balance and strong traction seems to suit the Alpine package better than some recent venues.

FP2 should determine whether that performance can be sustained once the leading teams turn their engines up and move towards qualifying simulations. The midfield remains close enough that a few tenths could dramatically change the order.

Teammate Franco Colapinto had a more difficult FP1 and finished 19th. He also carries a five-place grid penalty into the weekend after being penalised for his Azerbaijan GP collision.

Racing Bulls put both cars in top nine

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad both enjoyed encouraging opening sessions for Racing Bulls. Lawson finished eighth, with Lindblad immediately behind in ninth.

The result suggests the car is well suited to Sepang’s combination of medium and high-speed corners. Both drivers also appeared relatively comfortable during a session in which several rivals struggled with the low initial grip.

Lindblad, however, faces a significant grid setback because a power-unit change is set to send him towards the back of the field. That could influence his programme as the team focuses more heavily on race preparation.

FP2 should therefore be especially useful for longer runs. Strong race pace could give Lindblad an opportunity to recover positions despite his expected starting disadvantage.

Hulkenberg leads Audi challenge

Nico Hulkenberg completed the FP1 top 10 for Audi, finishing only 0.014 seconds behind Lindblad. Teammate Gabriel Bortoleto was 13th after repeatedly commenting on the extreme cockpit temperatures.

The Brazilian described the conditions as among the hottest he had experienced inside a Formula 1 car. Temperatures around 32C combined with high humidity created a major physical challenge throughout the hour.

That heat also complicates the technical picture because cooling requirements can force teams to open bodywork and sacrifice aerodynamic performance. FP2 begins later in the afternoon, but conditions are still expected to remain demanding.

Audi will use the second session to refine both cooling levels and tyre management. The abrasive Sepang surface means controlling temperatures across longer runs could become one of the most important factors of the weekend.

Sepang heat puts drivers and tyres under pressure

FP1 confirmed just how difficult Malaysia’s climate will be throughout the weekend. Air temperatures reached around 32C, while track temperatures and humidity added to the physical load inside the cockpit.

The heat also accelerated tyre degradation as drivers completed longer sequences. Sepang’s abrasive surface already generates substantial mechanical wear, and elevated temperatures only increase the challenge.

That should make FP2 long runs particularly informative. Teams need to understand whether the Medium or Hard tyre can maintain performance across sustained stints without overheating.

The Soft is expected to dominate qualifying simulations, but its durability remains a major question. Drivers who push too aggressively early in a lap may struggle for grip through Sepang’s final sector.

Soft tyre pace becomes major FP2 focus

Most of the field eventually used the C4 Soft during FP1, but different programmes made direct comparisons difficult. FP2 should provide a clearer picture as teams complete more conventional low-fuel qualifying runs.

Verstappen’s 1:37.520 provides the initial benchmark, although lap times should fall significantly as grip improves. The circuit was still relatively green during opening practice because Formula 1 has not raced at Sepang since 2017.

Out-lap preparation will be particularly important because the tyres need to reach the correct temperature without overheating before the flying lap begins. Sepang’s long corners then place sustained load into the rubber once drivers start pushing.

That creates a narrow operating window for the C4. Teams that understand it quickly should gain a significant advantage heading into Qualifying.

Long runs could reveal real race order

The second half of FP2 should shift towards higher-fuel running as teams gather their first representative race data of the weekend. That may prove more important than the headline one-lap times given the uncertainty surrounding tyre degradation.

Russell, Antonelli and Piastri all expressed concern before the weekend about Sepang’s abrasive asphalt. FP1 supported those fears, with tyre wear appearing noticeably higher than at recent circuits.

A two-stop race could become more realistic if degradation remains elevated, although cooler conditions on Sunday could still change the picture. Friday’s longer runs will therefore provide the first serious evidence.

Consistency will matter as much as outright pace. A driver who is several tenths slower over one lap may still hold an advantage if they can keep the tyres alive for significantly longer.

Mercedes upgrade faces first serious test

Mercedes have introduced one of their biggest development packages of the season at Sepang, including revised sidepods, floor components and bodywork. The changes arrive at a crucial stage as Russell attempts to reduce Antonelli’s championship lead.

FP1 suggested the W17 remains competitive, with Russell second despite Verstappen’s strong showing. Antonelli’s fifth place was less convincing but still within a second of the benchmark.

FP2 will provide a far better test because teams will run more comparable fuel loads and tyre programmes. Long-run consistency should also reveal whether the new package has improved the car beyond simple one-lap performance.

Any gain could prove decisive across the final eight rounds. With both Mercedes drivers fighting for the championship, even small improvements will immediately influence the title battle.

Rain threat remains over Sepang

The Malaysian weather remains one of the biggest uncertainties heading into FP2. Tropical showers can develop rapidly around Sepang even when conditions appear stable only minutes earlier.

Rain would dramatically change the value of the session because teams still have limited dry-running data from the circuit. Losing part of FP2 would place even greater emphasis on Saturday’s final practice.

At the same time, wet running would provide valuable information about the 2026 cars in conditions rarely encountered so far this season. Antonelli has already highlighted Sepang as a potentially useful venue for understanding wet-weather performance.

The circuit’s rough and open surface may help disperse standing water more effectively than smoother tracks. Even so, heavy Malaysian rainfall can overwhelm drainage extremely quickly.

What to watch in Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP2

• Verstappen’s attempt to remain fastest after topping FP1
• Russell’s response after finishing 0.383 seconds behind
• Antonelli’s search for more pace after taking fifth
• Mercedes’ continued evaluation of its major upgrade package
• Hadjar’s pace after finishing third for Red Bull Racing
• Leclerc and Hamilton’s qualifying simulations for Ferrari
• Piastri and Norris’ attempts to move McLaren into the top 10
• Gasly’s strong early pace for Alpine
• Lawson and Lindblad’s performance for Racing Bulls
• Hadjar, Lindblad and Colapinto’s grid-penalty implications
• Soft tyre qualifying simulations
• Medium and Hard tyre long runs
• Tyre degradation on Sepang’s abrasive asphalt
• Track evolution as more rubber is laid down
• Driver cooling in the Malaysian heat
• Power-unit cooling in high ambient temperatures
• Electrical energy deployment along Sepang’s two long straights
• Rain risk during the afternoon session
• McLaren’s rear-wing comparison work
• Race pace over longer stints

With Verstappen fastest, Russell close behind and both Red Bull Racing cars inside the top three, FP1 produced an immediate challenge to Mercedes at Sepang. Ferrari remain within range, while McLaren need to make a significant step forward after starting the weekend outside the top 10.

FP2 begins at 16:00 local time and should provide a much clearer picture of both qualifying and race pace at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia. Stay with Total-Motorsport.com for live lap times, Soft tyre simulations, long-run pace, weather updates, technical developments and all the key moments from FP2 at Sepang.