F1 Practice Results: Leclerc Fastest, Verstappen & Hamilton Miss Session

Bahrain – February 15, 2026 – Charles Leclerc of Ferrari set the fastest time in a disrupted second practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, finishing ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris. The session saw several notable absences and a mixed bag of running for those who did participate, offering a glimpse into potential form ahead of qualifying.

Leclerc clocked a lap of one minute 34.273 seconds, a significant margin of 0.511 seconds ahead of Norris. Oliver Bearman of Haas secured third, followed closely by George Russell in his Mercedes. Isack Hadjar of Red Bull and Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi rounded out the top six.

The session was far from straightforward. Several drivers chose not to run at all, including reigning World Champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, Esteban Ocon of Haas, Franco Colapinto of Alpine, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, and Oscar Piastri of McLaren. The reasons for their absence varied, ranging from planned adjustments to the car to, in some cases, simply opting to conserve resources.

For Ferrari, Leclerc’s pace is a welcome sign after a challenging start to the season. While Hamilton did not participate in the session, the performance of his teammate Leclerc suggests the Italian team may have made strides in improving the SF-24’s performance. However, the lack of running for Hamilton raises questions about his preparation for qualifying.

Mercedes also showed encouraging signs, with Russell placing fourth. The team has been working to address instability issues with the W15, and Russell’s lap time indicates potential progress. However, the team will need to analyze the data carefully to understand the full extent of the improvements.

McLaren’s Norris continued his strong form, backing up his fastest time in the first practice session with a competitive showing in FP2. The British driver appears to be adapting well to the McLaren MCL39, and is a strong contender for a podium finish this weekend.

The Aston Martin team had a quiet session, with both Stroll and Fernando Alonso electing not to run. This decision could be a strategic one, aimed at preserving components or focusing on specific setup changes. However, it leaves them with limited data ahead of qualifying.

Red Bull’s decision to keep Verstappen off the track is particularly noteworthy. The team experienced floor damage earlier in the weekend with Verstappen’s car, and chose to prioritize repairs over further running. While Verstappen is known for his ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions, the lack of track time could put him at a disadvantage.

The session wasn’t without incident. Alex Albon of Williams suffered significant damage to his FW46 in the opening session, ruling him out of FP2. The team is currently assessing the extent of the damage and may be forced to run with only one car for the remainder of the weekend, a significant setback for the British outfit.

The Australian Grand Prix weekend is shaping up to be a fascinating battle. Ferrari and McLaren appear to be the early pace-setters, but Red Bull and Mercedes are lurking close behind. The absence of several key drivers from FP2 adds an element of uncertainty, and the final qualifying session will be crucial in determining the starting grid for Sunday’s race.

The performance of the young drivers also deserves attention. Oliver Bearman’s impressive third-place finish for Haas demonstrates the depth of talent emerging in Formula 1. His performance will undoubtedly put pressure on the team’s established drivers to deliver consistent results.

With several teams still evaluating their setups and drivers opting for different strategies, the Australian Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling spectacle. The unpredictable nature of the Albert Park circuit, combined with the competitive intensity of the field, suggests a race filled with drama and excitement.