Overview

• McLaren secured 1–2 finishes in both FP1 and FP2 as Lando Norris topped the timesheets ahead of Oscar Piastri.
• Charles Leclerc was the fastest non-McLaren driver in both sessions, reinforcing Ferrari’s position as the primary challenger.
• Aston Martin’s Spa-derived upgrades paid off in FP2 with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso completing the top five.
• Max Verstappen struggled with severe balance issues, likening the car to “driving on ice,” and finished 14th in FP2.
• Mercedes ran an older rear-suspension package in FP1 for data evaluation but achieved only marginal performance gains.