# Leclerc Leads Practice as Hamilton Faces Hamilton Investigation

> Leclerc fastest in Bahrain practice as Verstappen avoids softs and Hamilton faces stewards' probe.
- Title: Leclerc Leads Practice as Hamilton Faces Hamilton…
- Summary: Leclerc fastest in Bahrain practice as Verstappen avoids softs and Hamilton faces stewards' probe. Leclerc set fastest time in Bahrain practice session…
- Keywords: leclerc, verstappen, hamilton, bahrain grand prix, ferrari, mercedes, red bull, sepan, practice session, investigation, sports, cars
- Source: RaceFans — https://racefans.net/2026/10/02/leclerc-quickest-as-verstappen-avoids-softs-and-hamilton-faces-investigation
- Published: 2026-10-02T09:06:13+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: leclerc, verstappen, hamilton, bahrain grand prix, ferrari, mercedes, red bull, sepan, practice session, investigation, sports, cars
## Leclerc quickest in practice
Charles Leclerc set the pace in a close second practice session at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
## Verstappen avoids soft tyres
Max Verstappen did not touch the soft tyres during the second session while his team mate Isack Hadjar used a set to lap within a tenth of a second of Leclerc’s time.
## Norris nears pit lane
Lando Norris had a near-miss at the end of the session when he approached the pit lane entry much closer than Sergio Perez ahead of him and had to swerve to avoid the Cadillac.
## Hamilton faces investigation
Lewis Hamilton put the other Ferrari in the top five but faces an investigation by the stewards for impeding Gabriel Bortoleto.
## Hamilton's mirror issue
Hamilton told his team he could not see out of his right-hand mirror after blundering into the Audi driver’s path at turn nine.
## Ferrari fined €10,000
Ferrari fined €10,000 after Hamilton impedes Bortoleto in practice.
## Key takeaway

Leclerc set fastest time in Bahrain practice session, Verstappen used medium tyres, Hamilton impeded Bortoleto and faces investigation.