Hadjar ends day two of Bahrain testing in fifth, as Leclerc tops the timesheets

Published on 12 February 2026 by Florence Cobben

Despite missing most of the morning session due to a hydraulic issue (bar one installation lap), Isack Hadjar was able to get back in the car during the second half of today’s session and climbed to fifth place on the timesheets. Max Verstappen’s Oracle Red Bull Racing-teammate was able to close this Thursday practice session with a respectable 87 laps to his name.

Charles Leclerc set the benchmark for the day, claiming the title of fastest man on track with a lap recorded during the morning session. In Leclerc’s rearview mirrors was McLaren’s Lando Norris in second, and Haas’ Oliver Bearman in third.

Just like Red Bull Racing, Mercedes also endured a disrupted morning, with technical issues limiting Kimi Antonelli to just three laps. George Russell was able to make up the difference with a respectable 54 laps in the second round.

Norris led the way in terms of distance covered – the world champion managed to circle the track a total of 149 times, followed by Leclerc (139 times) and Oliver Bearman (130 times). Pierre Gasly, in the Mercedes-powered Alpine, managed 97 laps. His afternoon came to an untimely end owing to technical issues, bringing out a red flag. In spite of Hadjar’s problems at the start of the day, he completed 87 problem-free laps in today’s second half.

The three-day Bahrain test concludes tomorrow. Max Verstappen will be in the RB22 during the morning session, with Hadjar returning to the car in the afternoon.