Red Bull chases Ferrari as McLaren struggles on race pace simulation

Charles Leclerc posted the fastest average time in the long runs, with a 1:46.199 average over four laps on soft tires. Just behind him was Lewis Hamilton at 1:46.297, although he completed only three laps on medium tyres, running a different strategy.

Right behind the Ferraris was Max Verstappen, also completing four laps on softs, with an average of 1:46.566.

Next came Kimi Antonelli, slightly further back at 1:46.909, with his teammate just a tenth slower on average, both completing only three laps on softs.

As for McLaren, Oscar Piastri completed six laps in total, averaging 1:46.915, while his teammate was unable to run a proper race simulation due to damage sustained after hitting the wall.

Lewis Hamilton, after struggling in the first session, ended the day on top, setting a time already faster than last year’s pole—set by his teammate, who finished second just 84 thousandths behind.

Third and fourth went to the two Mercedes, with George Russell edging out his teammate by only nine thousandths. Fifth place went to an impressive Oliver Bearman in the Haas, without even using soft tires.

Max Verstappen was sixth, still with work to do ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying, while the two McLarens ended up only tenth and thirteenth, with Norris hitting the barriers mid-session and damaging his MCL39.

See our latest F1 paddock update below!