With wholesale regulation changes sweeping into the sport in 2026, having more wind tunnel time could be the difference between just winning a few races and championship success, as the teams scramble to improve their initial packages after the first race of 2026.

Hamilton qualified in 12th place, being dumped out in Q2 while Leclerc got himself on pole. After the session, the Brit described himself as 'useless' and even suggested that Ferrari should replace him with another driver. In the race, he failed to make up any positions in the race and was lapped for the first time in three years.