Verstappen leads practice one; Leclerc tops session two

Max Verstappen set the fastest time in the opening practice session for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 at Sepang International Circuit, recording one minute 37.520 seconds. Charles Leclerc topped the second session with one minute 37.528 seconds. Qualifying follows Saturday at 4 p.m. local time.

The four time Formula 1 world champion recorded the fastest time of the day at one minute 37.520 seconds, finishing 0.383 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell.