In the second practice session of the Malaysian Grand Prix, known as EL2, Pierre Gasly followed a traditional preparation plan and signed the tenth time, while Franco Colapinto finished 22nd. Colapinto's performance was influenced by his focus on long runs, which are extended driving sessions used to simulate race conditions. Alpine, the team Gasly and Colapinto are part of, ran two different programs on Friday in Sepang, with Gasly prioritizing pure speed. Gasly is set to face a 15-position penalty on the starting grid, so he concentrated his efforts on the race itself. The track in Sepang is known for its low grip and the high demands it places on tires, both of which could influence race strategies and outcomes. Gasly expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, stating that Alpine seems capable of competing for a top 10 finish. He noted that the track remains challenging due to the high heat and humidity, which add difficulties to car handling and performance. Meanwhile, Colapinto's last-place finish in EL2 does not reflect his true performance level. Alpine had prepared a program almost exclusively dedicated to long runs with a lot of fuel, due to the penalties Colapinto faces. These penalties include five positions from an incident in Bakou and ten additional positions from replacing several elements of his power unit in Sepang. Colapinto stated that the team executed their program well, focusing on runs with a full tank of fuel to optimize race pace. Alpine conducted setup tests to best prepare for the race, where tire degradation could lead to strategic differences and opportunities for overtaking. Despite his position in the standings, Colapinto showed satisfaction with the pace achieved. His performance highlights the complexities of Formula 1, where drivers and teams must adapt to various challenges, including penalties and track conditions, to remain competitive.