Between FP1 and FP2, the race notes were updated in regards to track limits. They confirmed that ‘'a lap time achieved during any practice session by leaving the track and cutting behind the red and white kerb on the exit of turn 4, will result in that lap time being invalidated by the stewards.’’  

Nikita Mazepin spun in the Haas on his first flying lap heading into T6. Lando Norris also had a snap in the same spot as the windy conditions caused problems for the drivers.  

Eventful first few minutes of FP2 👀

Mazepin, Norris and Bottas all get out of shape in the middle sector#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/kQFdjgj3fa

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2021

Kimi Raikkonen logged the opening time of FP2 on a 1:32.780. Lewis Hamilton had taken over at the top, but lost his lap due to exceeding track limits at T4. 

Verstappen led after 10 minutes thanks to a 1:31.842 in the Red Bull as all the drivers ran on the medium tyres in the early stages. 

Mercedes eventually took over at the top of the charts as Hamilton banged in a 1:31.261, just over 0.2s ahead of Valtteri Bottas. The Red Bulls of Verstappen and Perez were P3 and P4 following the first runs. 

Turn 3 caught out Raikkonen as the Finn’s Alfa Romeo snapped on him and he hit the wall, losing his front wing. However, he did make it back to the pits despite the sizeable hit. The Finn did return to the track to get a qualifying simulation in before the session ended.

A hard knock for Kimi 💥

The Iceman is back in the Alfa garage getting some much-needed TLC#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/FAKrSVf57p

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2021

LOST: One (1) front wing

If found please return to @alfaromeoracing 👀#BahrainGP 🇧🇭 #F1 pic.twitter.com/oamVF2dCzQ

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2021

George Russell was the first driver to go for a qualifying simulation on the soft compound tyre and moved up to P8 on a 1:32.331. Yuki Tsunoda did a tremendous lap to climb to P2, which put him ahead of teammate Gasly. 

Hamilton only marginally improved on the softest tyre as he did a 1:31.082. That benchmark would be beaten first by Norris, before Max Verstappen logged a 1:30.847 to complete a clean sweep of the Friday practice sessions. 

Behind Verstappen, Norris and Hamilton, Ferrari debutant Carlos Sainz ended up 4th quickest, with Bottas, Ricciardo, the impressive rookie Tsunoda, Stroll, Gasly and Perez completing the top 10. 

Ocon, Leclerc, Giovinazzi, Vettel, Alonso, Raikkonen, Russell, Schumacher, Latifi and Mazepin filled positions 11-20. 

Only +0.923 covered the first 15 cars in FP2, with Raikkonen just over a second off the quickest time of the session.