Leclerc edges Verstappen to top second practice session at Sepang

Leclerc set a best time of 1 minute, 37.528 seconds around the 5.543-kilometre Sepang International Circuit, edging out his closest rival by less than a tenth of a second in the midday session.

The Ferrari driver's commanding performance came after Red Bull had established early momentum during the practice run. The competitive margins demonstrated the tight battle expected to shape qualifying and Sunday's race at the venue, which continues to be a traditional test for both driver skill and machine setup.

The second free practice session served as a crucial preparation window for teams to evaluate vehicle performance, tire degradation, and race-pace configurations ahead of qualifying. Conditions at Sepang remained warm, with the circuit presenting its characteristic challenges for brake management and downforce settings.

With competitive gaps measured in hundredths of a second between the front-running teams, the session underscored the calibre of competition at this stage of the season. The results will inform team strategies as they prepare for the knockout qualifying format and the main event.