Charles Leclerc ensured Ferrari returned to the summit of the timing screens by setting the fastest time of the test so far, a 1:16.231.
With Ferrari making up for lost time after yesterday’s problems, Charles Leclerc responded by setting the best time seen in pre-season testing so far, becoming one of only two drivers to dip below 1m17s.
Leclerc’s C5-equipped effort was the headline time, although Ferrari’s time of 1m17.2 on the C2 tyre demonstrated that more performance was capable from the SF90. The difference between C2 and C5 tyres far outweighs the one-second difference between Leclerc’s times.
Alexander Albon was the first man to set a time in the 1m16s, having spent a lot of the morning challenging for top spot in the Toro Rosso, with McLaren’s Lando Norris also spending some time in P1 with a 1:17.084.
Pierre Gasly also brought Red Bull down to a 1:17.0 to give them their best time of the test so far, whilst Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg was three tenths shy in fifth, just ahead of Racing Point’s Lance Stroll.
Antonio Giovinazzi finished seventh for Alfa Romeo, ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who didn’t set a time below the a 1:18.0.
Williams’ George Russell and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen completed the times.
With no red flags to contend with, many teams were able to rack up strong mileage in the morning session, with Hamilton leading the way with 85 laps, followed by Albon and Hulkenberg.
