Charles Leclerc Leads Isack Hadjar and Lando Norris in 2026 F1 Bahrain GP FP2

Sepang, Malaysia, October 2, 2026: Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets for Ferrari in Free Practice 2 of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and McLaren’s Lando Norris at the Sepang International Circuit.

Leclerc set a fastest lap of 1:37.528s during a session interrupted by changing weather conditions and a late Virtual Safety Car. Hadjar was just 0.099 seconds behind the Ferrari driver, while Norris completed the top three, 0.137s off the pace.

Following a dry and sunny opening practice session, rain threatened to disrupt FP2, with forecasts indicating a 90 per cent chance of precipitation. All 22 drivers therefore took to the track shortly after the pit lane opened at 1600 local time to maximise running before conditions potentially changed.

Most drivers initially opted for the Medium compound, while both McLaren and Cadillac drivers, along with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, started on Soft tyres.

Max Verstappen set the early benchmark with a 1:37.785s, putting the Red Bull driver 0.235s ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell. Leclerc was third, followed by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

The threat of rain prompted several drivers to switch to Soft tyres around 15 minutes into the session. Russell and Antonelli both attempted flying laps, although neither Mercedes driver improved, with Antonelli having a lap deleted for exceeding track limits.

Hamilton was also involved in a close moment with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto. The Audi driver took avoiding action after encountering the Ferrari moving slowly on the racing line. The incident was noted by the stewards, while Hamilton reported visibility problems with his right-hand mirror.

As the weather improved, Leclerc moved to the top of the order with a 1:37.528s. Norris then moved within 0.137s of the Ferrari driver, before Hadjar split the two with a 1:37.627s lap.

Verstappen remained on the Medium compound as teams shifted their attention towards longer runs. Bortoleto and Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad provided some of the session’s most competitive on-track action, with the pair engaging in several exchanges of position.

Bortoleto later asked Audi to inspect his car’s floor after running wide. The Brazilian subsequently brought out the Virtual Safety Car when his Audi stopped in the middle sector late in the session. Yellow flags followed with two minutes remaining, preventing the drivers from making further improvements.

Leclerc’s earlier lap therefore remained unbeaten, giving Ferrari the top spot in FP2.

Hadjar finished second for Red Bull, just 0.099s behind Leclerc, while Norris was third. Verstappen ended the session fourth, ahead of Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Piastri bounced back strongly after finishing 11th in FP1, ending FP2 in sixth with a 1:37.899s lap.

Russell and Antonelli were seventh and eighth respectively, while Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly completed the top 10.

Arvid Lindblad finished 11th for Racing Bulls, ahead of Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg. Esteban Ocon was 14th for Haas, followed by Fernando Alonso and team-mate Oliver Bearman.

Carlos Sainz was 17th for Williams, ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas. Alexander Albon was 20th, with Sergio Pérez 21st and Franco Colapinto 22nd.

2026 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix – FP2 Complete Results

Leclerc’s FP2 performance gives Ferrari an encouraging result heading into the remainder of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, with the top six covered by just 0.371s and the leading Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari cars closely matched on outright pace.