Mercedes Shines as Aston Martin Finally Debuts
Aston Martin made its awaited appearance during the fourth day of the Formula 1 shakedown in Barcelona, while Mercedes continued to excel in mileage accumulation. The session, which unfolded in the latter part of the day, saw Aston Martin’s new AMR26 take its first laps. Meanwhile, McLaren faced difficulties that cut short their running time.
Mercedes Dominates Barcelona Shakedown
Throughout the week, Mercedes consistently proved its reliability and performance. Drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell completed over 90 laps on the previous Wednesday. On Thursday, Russell recorded an unofficial fastest lap time of 1m16.6s. Despite the enticing headlines, the main goal for Mercedes was data collection and maximizing lap count. This objective was successfully achieved, as they completed the highest number of laps across all teams.
“We approach Bahrain testing with high confidence and hopes,” said Antonelli. “We faced some challenges during the shakedown but resolved them effectively.” With three test days in Barcelona behind them, Mercedes is eager for the upcoming Bahrain tests.
Aston Martin’s Late Track Debut
Aston Martin’s entry into the shakedown was delayed as the team aimed to ensure their AMR26 was ready. On day four, Lance Stroll drove the unpainted car, which featured unique sidepod and engine cover designs. The vehicle managed only five laps due to late-session challenges, including a stoppage caused by Stroll just before the end of the day.
Fernando Alonso is scheduled to take the wheel on the final day of testing, eager to adapt to the Honda-powered car.
Challenges for McLaren and Other Teams
Oscar Piastri took over the new McLaren MCL40 on the second day of running. The team faced a fuel system issue that resulted in a reduced testing schedule. Piastri stated, “It was great to be back, and we’re working hard to fix the problem.” McLaren’s technical director, Mark Temple, noted the complexity of the car, prompting the decision to investigate the issue thoroughly.
In contrast, Lewis Hamilton had a productive session, completing 85 laps with the Ferrari SF-26, despite an early spin due to cold tires. Other teams like Alpine, Audi, and Red Bull had quieter days, with Red Bull receiving spare parts from Milton Keynes to address damage from a previous crash.
Day 4 Lap Counts
- Ferrari: 170 laps
- Mercedes: 168 laps
- Racing Bulls: 111 laps
- Cadillac: 66 laps
- McLaren: 48 laps
- Aston Martin: 5 laps
As teams regroup for the final day of testing, the anticipation builds for the upcoming Bahrain sessions. Teams are focused on fine-tuning their cars and gathering critical data before the season begins.
