Aston Martin's AMR26 Faces Testing Delay in Barcelona
The Aston Martin Formula One team has confirmed a significant setback in their pre-season preparations, with their new AMR26 car now scheduled to make its track debut no earlier than Thursday. This development marks Aston Martin as the second team to miss out on valuable testing time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, following Williams' announcement that they would be unable to participate at all during the Spanish session.
Testing Schedule Disruption for Key Teams
Formula One's first pre-season test is currently underway in Barcelona, running from Monday through Friday this week. Teams are allocated three of the five available days to evaluate their newly designed cars, which have been developed under completely revised regulations and feature new engines for the upcoming season. Aston Martin's delayed entry means drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will have, at best, only two days combined behind the wheel during this initial test phase.
In an official statement, the team clarified their revised plans: "The AMR26 will be in Barcelona later this week for its shakedown. Our intention is to run Thursday and Friday." While not described as a major crisis, the delay raises concerns about potential ongoing development work on the AMR26. This car represents a crucial milestone as the first vehicle designed for the team by renowned engineer Adrian Newey, who has also assumed the role of team principal.
Background and Implications of the Delay
Under the ownership of Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin has made substantial investments in their Formula One programme, including constructing a new factory complex and wind tunnel at their Silverstone base. The team had high hopes that the new regulatory framework, combined with Newey's expertise, would propel them toward the front of the grid. The testing delay, while not catastrophic, may indicate that final preparations are taking longer than anticipated.
No specific reasons were provided for the postponed track appearance. However, during last week's launch event for the team's Honda engines in Tokyo, senior officials from the Japanese manufacturer expressed concerns that their power unit was not yet at the desired performance level. The 2026 Formula One season is set to commence in Melbourne on March 8th, adding pressure to resolve any technical issues promptly.
Other Teams Progress with Testing Programme
In contrast to Aston Martin and Williams, seven teams successfully took to the Barcelona track on Monday:
- Mercedes
- Audi
- Alpine
- Cadillac
- Racing Bulls
- Haas
- Red Bull
Ferrari is scheduled to begin their testing laps on Tuesday, while last year's champions, McLaren, have yet to confirm whether they will start their programme on Tuesday or Wednesday. The test is being conducted behind closed doors, with teams primarily focused on accumulating mileage for their cars and engines during what is still termed a "shakedown" period. Two additional tests are planned in Bahrain following the Barcelona session.
Although information from the track remains limited, all seven teams that ran on Monday completed laps into double figures, suggesting a solid start despite the major regulatory changes. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli notably logged more than twenty laps within the first two hours of testing.
