Welcome to Total-Motorsport.com for live coverage of FP3 at the 2026 F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia, as Formula 1 returns to Sepang for the final practice session before Qualifying.
Charles Leclerc ended Friday fastest for Ferrari with a 1:37.528 in FP2, edging Isack Hadjar by just 0.099 seconds. Lando Norris was third for McLaren, while Max Verstappen finished fourth despite setting his best lap on the Medium tyre rather than the Soft.
Lewis Hamilton completed the top five, with Oscar Piastri sixth before the two Mercedes cars of George Russell and championship leader Kimi Antonelli in seventh and eighth. FP3 begins at 12:30 local time on Saturday, with Qualifying following at 16:00.
F1 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP3 LIVE: Latest Updates
Leclerc sets the pace after tight FP2
Leclerc produced the fastest lap of Friday as the leading teams converged during the second practice session. His 1:37.528 was only 0.099 seconds quicker than Hadjar and 0.137 ahead of Norris, leaving three different teams separated by less than two tenths.
That result represented a significant improvement from FP1, when Verstappen had been comfortably quickest. Ferrari appeared much stronger once the field moved towards qualifying-style runs and the track became more representative.
The margin at the front remains narrow enough that FP3 could completely reshape the picture before Qualifying. Sepang’s continued track evolution means lap times should fall further as drivers push closer to the limit.
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Leclerc will therefore want to confirm that his Friday benchmark reflected genuine one-lap strength rather than simply a cleaner run. If Ferrari remain near the top through final practice, the team should enter Qualifying with realistic pole ambitions.
Hadjar keeps Red Bull firmly in pole fight
Hadjar continued an impressive weekend by finishing second in FP2 after taking third in the opening session. The Red Bull Racing driver was just 0.099 seconds away from Leclerc, giving the team encouragement that both cars have strong underlying pace.
His performance is particularly notable after returning from a wrist injury only one race ago. Sepang’s fast direction changes and physically demanding conditions have placed greater strain on drivers than Baku, yet Hadjar has remained competitive throughout Friday.
FP3 should give him another opportunity to refine the balance before Qualifying. The Frenchman will also want to understand how aggressively he can attack the high-speed sections without overheating the tyres.
His expected grid penalty remains a complicating factor for the weekend, but outright qualifying pace still matters. Starting as high as possible before any sanction is applied could make a major difference to his final grid position.
Verstappen remains major threat after Medium tyre run
Verstappen finished fourth in FP2, only 0.257 seconds behind Leclerc, despite never completing a representative Soft tyre qualifying simulation. His fastest lap came on the Medium compound, making his Friday result particularly intriguing.
The Dutchman had topped FP1 by more than three tenths and remains the only driver to have led a session so far without relying on the softest available tyre. That suggests Red Bull Racing may still have significant performance available when FP3 turns towards final qualifying preparation.
The team’s decision to keep Verstappen on the Medium was partly influenced by the threat of rain during FP2. With teams rushing to collect useful data early in the session, run plans became less conventional than originally expected.
FP3 should therefore provide a much cleaner comparison. If Verstappen moves onto the C4 Soft and remains competitive, he could become one of the strongest pole contenders heading into Saturday afternoon.
Hamilton close behind Leclerc for Ferrari
Hamilton finished fifth in FP2, 0.305 seconds behind his teammate, and looked considerably more comfortable as Friday progressed. His experience at Sepang appears to be helping Ferrari as engineers work through a circuit Formula 1 has not visited since 2017.
The seven-time world champion had one uncomfortable moment when Gabriel Bortoleto approached rapidly from behind while Hamilton was moving slowly on the racing line. The incident was investigated after the session, with Hamilton receiving a warning and Ferrari fined rather than any sporting penalty.
That removes one possible distraction ahead of Saturday’s running. Hamilton can now focus entirely on finding the final few tenths required to challenge Leclerc, Verstappen and the other frontrunners.
FP3 will be particularly important for tyre preparation because the C4 Soft has a relatively narrow operating window in Sepang’s heat. Getting the compound into the right condition before the flying lap could decide several positions in Qualifying.
McLaren bounce back after quiet FP1
Norris and Piastri made a significant step forward in FP2 after both McLaren cars finished outside the top 10 during the opening session. Norris took third, only 0.137 seconds away from the fastest time, while Piastri climbed to sixth.
The improvement suggests Friday morning’s lowly positions were more reflective of programme differences than a fundamental lack of pace. McLaren had been experimenting with different aerodynamic configurations as both drivers familiarised themselves with Sepang.
Saturday now becomes about refining that setup rather than rebuilding it. The MCL40 appears capable through Sepang’s flowing corners, but teams still need to balance downforce against straight-line efficiency along the circuit’s two long straights.
Norris enters FP3 with realistic hopes of joining the pole fight. Piastri will also want to close the remaining gap after ending FP2 0.371 seconds behind Leclerc.
Mercedes need cleaner final practice
Friday was less straightforward for Mercedes despite Russell finishing second in FP1. The team’s two cars ended FP2 only seventh and eighth after both drivers failed to maximise their Soft tyre qualifying runs.
Russell aborted one attempt in the final sector, while Antonelli had a lap deleted for exceeding track limits. Their eventual positions therefore understate the potential pace of the upgraded W17.
That makes FP3 especially important because Mercedes need a clean benchmark before Qualifying. The team brought a substantial update package to Sepang and will want to confirm that its Friday data translates into competitive low-fuel performance.
The championship context increases the pressure. Antonelli leads Russell by 66 points, but the Azerbaijan GP showed how quickly momentum can change if one driver has a difficult weekend.
Antonelli looks to reassert championship control
Antonelli enters Saturday after finishing eighth in FP2, a result that did not reflect his underlying speed. His deleted Soft tyre lap left him without a fully representative qualifying simulation.
The Italian has already shown several times this season that Friday results do not necessarily define his weekend. Sepang is nevertheless a circuit where confidence through fast corners matters, making FP3 an important opportunity to sharpen his rhythm.
The championship leader also needs to understand how the updated Mercedes behaves over the abrasive surface. Tyre degradation remains one of the major strategic concerns for Sunday’s race, particularly if temperatures stay high.
A strong FP3 would immediately ease any concerns created by Friday’s timing sheets. Antonelli still holds a substantial points advantage, but Russell’s recent form makes every weekend increasingly important.
Russell seeks to rediscover FP1 pace
Russell began the weekend strongly by taking second in FP1 behind Verstappen, but his FP2 session became less representative once his Soft tyre run failed to come together. He ended seventh, 0.492 seconds away from Leclerc.
That result leaves the British driver with unfinished business heading into final practice. His underlying pace still appears competitive, particularly given how comfortable the W17 looked earlier on Friday.
FP3 should provide another opportunity to test the latest upgrade package with a more conventional qualifying programme. Engineers will want cleaner comparisons before committing to the final setup.
Russell needs to continue applying pressure in the championship after reducing Antonelli’s lead in Baku. Another front-row start would be the ideal way to keep that momentum going.
Tyre degradation becomes major Saturday focus
Sepang’s abrasive surface has already confirmed predictions that tyre management will be one of the defining themes of the weekend. The combination of rough asphalt, high loads and hot track temperatures places significant stress on the C2, C3 and C4 compounds.
Teams spent much of FP2 gathering longer-run data, but FP3 should still include some final race preparation before attention shifts fully towards qualifying simulations. Understanding the thermal behaviour of the tyres remains critical.
The Soft is likely to dominate one-lap running but may overheat if drivers attack too aggressively early in the lap. The Medium and Hard tyres are expected to become more relevant for Sunday’s longer stints.
Drivers who can manage temperature through Sepang’s sustained corners may hold an important race advantage. Saturday practice should reveal which cars are easiest on their tyres without sacrificing too much qualifying speed.
Verstappen’s unusual Friday run plan adds intrigue
Verstappen was one of only two drivers who did not switch to the Soft tyre during FP2, instead completing his work on the Medium. That means his fourth-place result cannot be compared directly with the drivers ahead.
His run plan also allowed Red Bull Racing to gather additional information about the compound most likely to play a major role in the race. With thermal degradation expected to be significant, that data could prove more valuable than chasing Friday’s fastest lap.
FP3 now gives the team the chance to complete the missing low-fuel work. Verstappen should therefore be one of the drivers capable of making the biggest apparent jump on the timing screens.
If the RB22 remains quick on the Soft, the Dutchman could begin Qualifying as one of the clearest threats to Ferrari and Mercedes. His Friday pace has already suggested the car is comfortable around Sepang.
Weather remains difficult to predict
Rain threatened FP2 with forecasts initially suggesting a very high chance of showers, but the session ultimately remained dry. That underlined how unpredictable Sepang’s tropical weather can be even over relatively short periods.
Saturday is again expected to be hot and humid, with showers possible around the circuit. Conditions can change rapidly, leaving teams constantly monitoring radar before sending drivers onto the track.
A wet FP3 would severely reduce the amount of useful dry qualifying preparation available. At the same time, it would offer valuable experience with the 2026 cars in wet conditions before a weekend where further showers remain possible.
Heat remains a concern even without rain. The FIA has already treated the weekend as a significant heat challenge, with drivers and teams paying close attention to cooling and hydration.
Heat and humidity push drivers physically
Sepang has immediately reminded Formula 1 why it was historically regarded as one of the toughest circuits for drivers. High temperatures combined with intense humidity create a significant physical burden inside the cockpit.
Drivers receive very little relief because the circuit combines long straights with extended periods of heavy lateral load. The faster sections require constant concentration while cockpit temperatures remain extremely high.
Cooling systems are therefore becoming an increasingly important part of the weekend. Teams must ensure drivers remain comfortable without introducing unnecessary aerodynamic compromises.
FP3 runs through the middle of the day, meaning conditions could be among the hottest of the weekend. That should make Saturday’s final practice another demanding hour physically.
Bortoleto stoppage leaves Audi with repair work
Gabriel Bortoleto stopped near the end of FP2, bringing out a Virtual Safety Car with only two minutes remaining. The Brazilian climbed from the car as Audi began investigating the cause of the problem.
The stoppage interrupted the team’s long-run work and adds another task ahead of Saturday practice. Bortoleto had already reported concerns about possible floor damage earlier in the session after running wide during a battle with Arvid Lindblad.
Nico Hulkenberg finished 13th, leaving Audi just outside the main top-10 fight. FP3 will offer one final chance to improve before Qualifying.
Reliability is the immediate priority for Bortoleto, however. Missing further running would leave him poorly prepared for a circuit where track evolution remains significant.
Racing Bulls remain close to top 10
Liam Lawson finished ninth in FP2 for Racing Bulls after another encouraging day. Teammate Arvid Lindblad was 11th and remained within striking distance of the top 10.
The team appear comfortable through Sepang’s quicker sections, giving both drivers a realistic opportunity to reach Q3 if that pace continues. The midfield is close enough that only small setup improvements may be required.
Lindblad’s expected grid penalty changes the strategic emphasis slightly, but qualifying position still matters because every place gained can reduce the size of his eventual setback. Race preparation will remain particularly important for him.
Lawson, meanwhile, has an opportunity to capitalise directly if the car remains competitive. FP3 should show whether Racing Bulls can maintain their Friday form as the leading teams increase their pace.
What to watch in Bahrain GP in Malaysia FP3
- Leclerc’s attempt to remain fastest after topping FP2
- Hadjar’s challenge after finishing only 0.099 seconds behind
- Verstappen’s first representative Soft tyre qualifying simulation
- Hamilton’s pace after completing the FP2 top five
- Norris’ attempt to keep McLaren in the pole fight
- Piastri’s progress after climbing to sixth
- Russell’s recovery after a compromised FP2 Soft tyre run
- Antonelli’s response after finishing eighth
- Mercedes’ continued evaluation of its major upgrade package
- Tyre preparation on the C4 Soft
- Thermal degradation in Sepang’s heat
- Medium and Hard tyre race preparation
- Track evolution ahead of Qualifying
- Rain risk during final practice
- Driver cooling in hot and humid conditions
- Power-unit cooling through the hottest part of the day
- Bortoleto’s return after stopping late in FP2
- Lawson and Lindblad’s Q3 prospects
- Slipstream effects along Sepang’s long straights
- Final setup changes before Qualifying
With Leclerc, Hadjar and Norris separated by only 0.137 seconds in FP2, the Bahrain GP in Malaysia remains wide open heading into Saturday. Verstappen’s Medium tyre pace suggests Red Bull Racing may have even more to offer, while Mercedes need cleaner laps from Russell and Antonelli to establish their true position.
FP3 begins at 12:30 local time, with Qualifying following at 16:00 at the Sepang International Circuit. Stay with Total-Motorsport.com for live lap times, Soft tyre simulations, qualifying preparation, weather updates and all the key moments from FP3 at the 2026 F1 Bahrain GP in Malaysia.
