{
  "id": 11416377,
  "title": "Ferrari's Leclerc tops second free practice",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/ferraris-leclerc-tops-second-free-practice",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T10:09:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/10/1546284/ferraris-leclerc-tops-second-free-practice"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sepang, Malaysia - Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed the top spot in the second free practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit on Friday. Red Bull's Isaac Hadjar and McLaren's Lando Norris completed the top three. The session was initially dry and sunny, but dark clouds formed ahead of second practice due to a 90% chance of rain. Max Verstappen, who set the fastest time in practice 1 with a 1:37.785s lap, led the field. Leclerc, racing at Sepang for the first time, moved into the lead with a 1:37.528s lap, followed by Hadjar just 0.087s behind in second. Verstappen held third place before dropping to fourth as he opted not to switch to the soft tyres. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished fifth, ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli, Racing Bull's Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly. The session was briefly interrupted when Gabriel Bortoleto had to change lanes after colliding with Hamilton's Ferrari, leading to a steward investigation. Hamilton's car stopped on the track, causing yellow flags to fly and a virtual safety car to be deployed. Drivers will return for practice 3 at 12:30pm on Saturday, with qualifying scheduled for 4pm.",
  "summary": "SEPANG: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped the second free practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on Friday, with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and McLaren's Lando Norris completing the top three.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "Sport : Bahrain GP In Malaysia: Leclerc Fastest In Second Practice At Sepang",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/sport-bahrain-gp-in-malaysia-leclerc-fastest-in-second-practice-at",
        "published": "2026-10-02T08:38:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Leclerc fastest in second practice after Verstappen sets early pace",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/leclerc-fastest-in-second-practice-after-verstappen-sets-early-pace",
        "published": "2026-10-02T09:58:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}