Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing: Charles Leclerc Tops Day 2 as Ferrari Edges McLaren in Sakhir

Sakhir, Bahrain – Charles Leclerc set the pace on the second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, delivering a benchmark lap of 1:34.273 on the C3 compound to put Ferrari at the top of the timesheets.

The Monegasque driver’s effort was three tenths quicker than the previous day’s fastest lap set by Lando Norris of McLaren, who finished second on Thursday.

Leclerc Lowers the Benchmark in Bahrain Testing

Leclerc’s 1:34.273 on the C3 tyre was 0.511 seconds faster than Norris’ best lap of the day, which came on the harder C2 compound. Norris also topped the C1 timesheets, clocking a 1:35.795 to underline McLaren’s strong early pace at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The battle between Ferrari and McLaren added intrigue to the second day of running as teams continued to refine set-ups ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Tyre Usage Analysis: C3 Most Popular Compound

Tyre strategy mirrored the opening day, with the three hardest slick compounds in Pirelli’s range—C1, C2 and C3—seeing track action.

• C1 (Hard): 259 laps – 21% of total mileage
• C2 (Medium): 345 laps – 28% of total mileage
• C3 (Softest available in Bahrain): 649 laps – 52% of total mileage

The C3 once again proved the preferred tyre for performance runs, accounting for more than half of the total laps completed.

With two days in the books, the cumulative tyre set usage stands at:

• C3: 87 sets
• C2: 49 sets
• C1: 27 sets

No team opted to use intermediate tyres for installation laps, confirming stable and dry desert conditions throughout the session.

Long Runs Hint at Race Simulations

While much of the day focused on set-up work, several teams completed longer stints that could provide insight into potential race pace:

• Racing Bulls: 22-lap run on C1
• Cadillac: 19-lap run on C2
• Ferrari: 19-lap stint on C3

These extended runs suggest teams are beginning to simulate race conditions as development programs intensify.

Driver Rotation Continues in Sakhir

Four drivers who did not run on Day 1 took to the track on Thursday, while several big names remained in the garage, including:

• Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
• Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
• Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
• Esteban Ocon (Haas F1 Team)
• Franco Colapinto (Alpine F1 Team)
• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

The rotating driver schedule continues to provide teams with balanced data collection across both race and reserve drivers.

Weather Conditions Stable Across Both Days

Track and air temperatures remained consistent with Day 1, offering stable conditions for comparative analysis:

• Track temperature: 25°C – 42°C
• Air temperature: 24°C – 32°C

With steady desert weather and increasing performance benchmarks, pre-season testing in Bahrain is already shaping up to provide early clues about the pecking order for the upcoming Formula 1 season.