Mercedes set new F1 test benchmark, McLaren hit trouble on day four

Mercedes produced a press release by setting a brand new benchmark lap time on the penultimate day of F1’s pre-season shakedown at Barcelona.

For the second day operating, Mercedes held a 1-2 on the high of the timesheet on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, however this time it was George Russell who led the way in which.

Russell produced a 1m16.641 seconds to decrease the bar by way of the take a look at’s quickest total time, hours after teammate Kimi Antonelli had posted a 1m17.081s which additionally usurped Wednesday’s headline time.

It was one other easy day for the spectacular Mercedes, who racked up one other mighty haul of 168 laps on Thursday to maintain the Silver Arrows on high of the general mileage chart as they bow out of the Barcelona shakedown, having accomplished their third and ultimate permitted day of operating.

Sitting in third place was Charles Leclerc who clocked a 1m19.128s, having taken over from teammate Lewis Hamilton within the afternoon.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton recovered from what social media footage confirmed to be a reasonably innocuous spin early doorways to finish 85 laps as he and Leclerc chalked up 170 for Ferrari. 

Aston Martin lastly debuts, McLaren hit hassle

Thursday marked the primary look of Aston Martin’s highly-anticipated 2026 F1 challenger following the Silverstone squad’s late arrival to the primary pre-season take a look at.

Adrian Newey’s first Aston Martin F1 automotive, the AMR26, lastly appeared on monitor with only one hour of the afternoon session remaining, having been flown into Spain and labored on late into Wednesday night time and all through Thursday.

Sporting an all-black livery, the AMR26 accomplished a handful of laps with Lance Stroll on the wheel earlier than stopping on monitor within the closing minutes to  trigger a crimson flag and produce the penultimate day to a dramatic finish.

Earlier than his Aston broke down, Stroll set a single timed lap which was a gradual one at 1m46.404s, leaving him backside of the leaderboard for what its price.

After making a strong begin to their pre-season programme on Wednesday, McLaren’s operating on Thursday was interrupted by a gasoline techniques problem which minimize quick Oscar Piastri’s first day within the MCL40.

„It was good to be again out, particularly in a brand new automotive. Quite a lot of new challenges for us this yr up and down the grid, so it’s good to get caught into a few of them,” the Australian stated.

„Sadly, a couple of points right now. We had a gasoline techniques problem which minimize our day a bit quick, however I do know the group is working actually laborious to get that fastened and get us again out for as many laps as we are able to tomorrow.“

Pink Bull sat out Thursday’s motion because the group await spare components as a consequence of Isack Hadjar’s heavy crash on Tuesday. The Milton Keynes squad anticipate to renew their take a look at programme on Friday.

Haas additionally selected to not take part on the penultimate day after encountering two mechanical issues on Wednesday, whereas Alpine and Audi opted to avoid wasting their ultimate day of operating for Friday. 

Williams are lacking the whole opening take a look at after failing to construct their FW48 automotive in time.