Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in second practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Friday, October 2, as Formula 1 returned to the Sepang International Circuit, with Max Verstappen also showing strong pace ahead of Sunday’s race.

The Ferrari driver posted a 1:37.528 lap to finish 0.099 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was third, while Verstappen finished fourth, 0.257 seconds behind Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton completed the top five for Ferrari.

Verstappen had earlier topped the opening practice session, setting a 1:37.520 to finish ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell and Hadjar.

Leclerc was fourth in FP1, meaning the Ferrari driver improved to the top of the timesheets in the second session.

Mercedes endured a more difficult second session despite introducing a significant upgrade package for the weekend.

Russell finished seventh and championship leader Kimi Antonelli was eighth, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was sixth.

The Mercedes pair had both featured higher up the order in FP1, with Russell finishing second.

Tyre degradation and the abrasive Sepang surface are expected to be major factors during the weekend.

The circuit is also presenting a fresh challenge for much of the current grid because Formula 1 has not raced there since 2017, meaning teams have limited recent data with the current generation of cars.

The Malaysian weekend has been added to the calendar as the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix.

Formula 1 and the FIA confirmed in July that Sepang would host the event from October 2 to 4, allowing the Bahrain Grand Prix to go ahead after its original venue could not stage the race.

The event retains its Bahrain title while being held in Malaysia.

The weekend is also important to the 2026 championship battle. Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings on 302 points, with Russell second on 236 and Lewis Hamilton third on 199.

Verstappen is sixth on 163 points, while Leclerc sits fifth on 179.

Antonelli’s championship lead was reduced after Russell won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, cutting the gap from 81 points to 66.

Verstappen finished second in Baku, while Hadjar was third.

The drivers return to the track for final practice on Saturday, October 3, before qualifying later in the day.

The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia will be held on Sunday at the Sepang International Circuit.