Lewis Hamilton set the quickest lap on the ultimate day of Formulation 1’s 2026 shakedown in Barcelona, whereas Mercedes performed essentially the most mileage throughout the week.
The Ferrari driver accomplished an unofficial 1m16.348s in the direction of the top of day 5 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, knocking former Mercedes stablemate George Russell off high spot.
In what can solely be described as a ‘glory run’ for Hamilton, he did it following a late change to gentle tyres on Friday to observe up from a promising morning for team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The Monegasque topped the unofficial morning timesheet with a 1m16.653s, 0.793s faster than runner-up Oscar Piastri, with 78 laps in comparison with the McLaren’s 80.
That actually marked an enormous enchancment for Piastri although, who had his Thursday ended early for a gas problem, so he was far more optimistic after his Friday operating.
“It was good,” mentioned the McLaren driver, who completed third within the 2025 standings. “Good to get some good laps on the board this morning, a lot smoother day than the primary two we have had, in order that was good. I obtained into a reasonably good rhythm and was in a position to begin to really feel what the automobile’s really like, which was good.”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Picture by: McLaren
His team-mate and reigning world champion Lando Norris adopted up strongly within the chilly afternoon with what was the very best lap time, 1m16.594s, till Hamilton pipped him late on.
However the intention of the shakedown wasn’t to essentially earn the quickest lap, however full essentially the most mileage to arrange the facility items for the official pre-season exams, plus 24-round calendar.
That honour went to Mercedes, which is the favorite for each the constructors’ and drivers’ titles this yr, having accomplished over 500 laps throughout its permitted three days of operating on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli even accomplished a full race simulation on that second day for Mercedes, whereas Thursday noticed Russell set an unofficial 1m16.4s which at one stage appeared set to go unbeaten.
Key to its success has been that energy unit, thought-about the very best in F1, which throughout the manufacturing unit workforce and its buyer outfits accomplished essentially the most laps in comparison with different engine suppliers.
Between Mercedes, McLaren and Alpine – the German marque’s fourth buyer Williams was absent resulting from manufacturing delays – the engine is known to have accomplished round 1000 laps.
George Russell, Mercedes
Picture by: Mercedes AMG
The Ferrari engine clocked up the second most mileage, with the Crimson Bull Ford Powertrain in third after its major squad returned on Friday with Max Verstappen behind the wheel.
The four-time world champion went out within the morning, finishing 69 laps with a greatest time of 1m18.285s, in what was the primary time Crimson Bull had been seen since Tuesday because of Isack Hadjar’s crash.
Others to have run on Friday embrace Haas, Audi, Cadillac and Aston Martin, the latter of which solely contested the ultimate two days of this week’s shakedown however prompted a stir with its distinctive sidepod and engine cowl design beneath the management of Adrian Newey.
Though Lance Stroll solely turned in 5 laps on Thursday having prompted a late pink flag, team-mate Fernando Alonso loved a smoother experience on Friday by finishing not less than 49 excursions.
However the day ran a lot smoother than others this week with no pink flags being prompted, forward of F1’s subsequent collective on-track take a look at in Bahrain on 11-13 February.
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