Leclerc Tops Friday Morning Session in Barcelona Pre-Season Test

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the final morning of Formula 1's 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona, signaling a strong start for Ferrari's new package. Max Verstappen returned to the track for Red Bull after missing Thursday's running, slotting into third behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri. The session saw eight of the eleven teams complete valuable mileage on the final day of official testing.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing times are always heavily caveated with unknown fuel loads and engine modes, but they provide the first concrete data points on the competitive order. A strong showing from Ferrari, coupled with Red Bull's return to the track after a parts delay, offers initial clues about the pecking order ahead of the new season under the latest technical regulations.

The details:

• Leclerc's best time of 1:16.653 came during a 79-lap run for Ferrari, putting him nearly eight-tenths clear of the field.
• McLaren's Oscar Piastri was second fastest, 0.793 seconds adrift, also completing 79 laps.
• Max Verstappen managed 69 laps for Red Bull, posting the third-fastest time (1:18.285) as the team made up for lost time after logistical issues halted their running on Thursday.
• Haas rookie Oliver Bearman was the busiest driver, logging 105 laps on his way to the fourth-fastest time.
• Only eight teams participated in the final day, with Williams absent and Mercedes and Racing Bulls having already completed their maximum allotted three test days.

| Pos | Driver (Team) | Time | Laps | |-----|----------------|------------|------| | 1 | Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | 1:16.653 | 79 | | 2 | Oscar Piastri (McLaren) | 1:17.446 | 79 | | 3 | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) | 1:18.285 | 69 | | 4 | Oliver Bearman (Haas) | 1:18.423 | 105 | | 5 | Pierre Gasly (Alpine) | 1:19.754 | 78 | | 6 | Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) | 1:20.179 | 64 | | 7 | Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) | 1:20.795 | 49 | | 8 | Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) | 1:22.790 | 33 |

What's next:

With the final day of pre-season testing now complete, teams will pack up in Barcelona and head back to their factories to analyze the terabytes of data collected. The focus shifts entirely to preparation for the season-opening Grand Prix. While the timesheets offer hints, the true competitive picture will only come into focus under the pressure of qualifying and race conditions in two weeks' time.