Leclerc tops final morning of 2026 F1 testing, close to Mercedes benchmark

Charles Leclerc set Ferrari's fastest lap of the first 2026 pre-season test on the final morning, closing within two-tenths of the overall benchmark set by Mercedes. The session was the busiest of the week, with eight cars on track simultaneously, highlighting improved reliability for many teams as they completed crucial mileage ahead of the new season.

Why it matters:

Early testing times, while heavily influenced by fuel loads and run programs, offer the first tangible clues about the competitive order. Leclerc's pace being in the same range as Mercedes suggests Ferrari may have started the new regulatory era on strong footing, a critical step after years of chasing the front. Furthermore, the high car count and solid lap totals indicate teams are overcoming initial reliability gremlins, a positive sign for the stability of the new 2026 machinery.

The details:

• Ferrari's Promise: Leclerc's 1m16.653s lap was just 0.2 seconds slower than George Russell's week-topping time for Mercedes, set on Thursday. Beyond the single-lap pace, the team was encouraged by a strong level of reliability throughout the test.
• McLaren's Recovery: Oscar Piastri returned to action after a fuel system issue sidelined him Thursday afternoon. He completed 79 laps and was second fastest in the morning, albeit a full second off Russell's benchmark.
• Red Bull Back on Track: Max Verstappen resumed testing after the team received spare parts to repair damage from Isack Hadjar's crash on Tuesday. The reigning champion was third quickest despite a small off-track moment.
• Alonso's First Taste: Fernando Alonso completed his first laps in Adrian Newey-designed AMR26 for Aston Martin. The team avoided a repeat of Lance Stroll's Thursday stoppage, with Alonso logging 49 laps while visibly managing speed on the straights.
• Mileage Leaders: Haas driver Ollie Bearman led the lap count with 105 tours, making up for lost time after issues on Wednesday. Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto also completed solid running.

What's next:

The final afternoon of running will see teams transition to more representative race simulations and long-run data collection, which often paints a clearer picture of true performance than single-lap times. Alonso is scheduled to complete the full day for Aston Martin, providing valuable feedback on the new car. As the test concludes, the data amassed will trigger intense analysis back at factories, setting the stage for upgrades and refinements before the season opener.