Overview
- Lando Norris topped Friday’s sprint qualifying in an overhauled McLaren, beating points leader Kimi Antonelli by 0.222s to end Mercedes’ 2026 pole streak.
- Earlier in the extended 90‑minute FP1, Charles Leclerc led in an upgraded Ferrari while Mercedes lost soft‑tyre runs to power unit troubles that left both cars short on pace work.
- F1’s trial changes target risky speed gaps by trimming qualifying battery recharge to 7MJ, raising short‑burst ‘superclip’ power to 350kW, capping the rear‑axle motor at 350kW in key zones and 250kW elsewhere, and testing an automatic launch assist for slow getaways.
- Teams arrived with major upgrades after the five‑week pause, with McLaren calling its MCL40 “a completely new car,” Ferrari adding a revised floor and aero parts, and Red Bull rolling out a reworked floor, sidepods and front wing, as Mercedes brought a smaller package.
- Saturday’s 19‑lap sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix will give the FIA the first full race data on the tweaks, which officials signaled could be refined after analyzing telemetry and on‑track outcomes.