P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Aston Martin ‘on another level’ as Lewis Hamilton drops major Ferrari hint – RacingNews365 Review
The 2026 Aston Martin F1 car, designed by Adrian Newey, has been praised for its radical appearance and meticulous attention to detail, making a strong impression during testing in Spain. The Honda-powered car debuted late on Thursday with Lance Stroll behind the wheel, followed by Fernando Alonso driving a Newey-designed car for the first time on Friday. Aston Martin’s new car has been described as being “on another level,” showcasing Newey’s design influence.
Lewis Hamilton has hinted at a possible return to form with Ferrari after setting the quickest time at the Barcelona pre-season shakedown, posting a 1:16.348 on the final day of running. Hamilton aims to bounce back from a challenging 2025 season with his new team. The 2026 Ferrari F1 car has shown promise, as indicated by Hamilton’s performance in testing.
F1 teams have concluded the Barcelona pre-season shakedown, using the data gathered to prepare for the upcoming season in Bahrain. The testing provided valuable insights into how the 2026 season may unfold, with teams now focused on optimizing their performance for the races ahead. The Barcelona tests shed light on key developments and potential trends for the upcoming F1 season.
Audi faced challenges during their first pre-season test in F1, with chief Mattia Binotto expressing concern over the extensive list of issues that need to be addressed following the Barcelona shakedown. Despite completing 240 laps, Audi encountered various technical problems with the R26 machine, highlighting the obstacles the team must overcome before the season starts. Audi’s F1 entry faces a steep learning curve as they work to address the issues identified during testing.
Max Verstappen accumulated valuable track time during the Barcelona shakedown, focusing on understanding the new Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engine for the 2026 season. Verstappen emphasized the importance of the laps he completed in unlocking the potential of Red Bull’s new engine, aiming to optimize performance and reliability for the upcoming races. The team is leveraging testing data to deepen their understanding of the new power unit and make necessary adjustments for a competitive season.
