P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Oscar Piastri’s running on Thursday in Barcelona was limited as his car was struck with an issue.
McLaren experienced issues on Thursday in Barcelona, limiting their on-track running.
Oscar Piastri drove the MCL40 for the first time, with reigning champion Lando Norris debuting the car on Wednesday.
Piastri completed 48 laps in the morning but didn’t run in the afternoon due to a car problem related to the fuel system.
McLaren’s technical director Mark Temple noted the team’s understanding of the base car, despite facing some running limitations.
They identified a fuel system problem, prompting a thorough investigation to pinpoint the issue.
McLaren is treating the week as a shakedown, focusing on familiarizing drivers with the new car’s operations instead of extracting performance.
Piastri gained valuable experience with the new systems, energy management, and chassis behavior.
The team emphasized the importance of grasping the significant changes from 2025 to 2026 and prioritizing understanding over testing items.
