Overview
- Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap of the two-week programme with a 1:31.992 and completed 132 laps, finishing 0.879s clear on the final day.
- Lando Norris was second after McLaren lost early afternoon time to a cooling issue, with Max Verstappen third and George Russell fourth.
- Mercedes highlighted encouraging long-run pace across the week, though Kimi Antonelli’s morning stoppage was traced to a loss of pneumatic pressure that forced a power-unit change before Russell resumed running.
- Aston Martin’s running collapsed to just six untimed laps for Lance Stroll as Honda confirmed a battery-related problem and parts shortages, prompting warnings that fixes must arrive before Melbourne.
- The FIA conducted practice start trials at session ends to gather data on slower turbo spool caused by the MGU-H’s removal, with decisions due before the season opener on March 6–8 in Australia.