McLaren suffer day-ending problem as Aston Martin finally hit the track – RacingNews365 Review
Oscar Piastri was allowed to put McLaren's 2026 F1 challenger through its paces on Thursday after champion Lando Norris had the honour of driving the MCL40 for the first time a day earlier. After a reasonably productive morning with 48 laps at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, the Australian failed to make it out on track in the afternoon. READ MORE: McLaren confirm problem for Oscar Piastri Radical Aston Martin breaks cover as revolutionary design unveiled The anticipation surrounding Aston Martin's AMR26 reached its crescendo in Barcelona this afternoon as Lance Stroll finally brought the eagerly-awaited machine to life on circuit, with Fernando Alonso scheduled to take over driving duties tomorrow. The extended wait has proven thoroughly worthwhile. READ MORE: Radical Aston Martin breaks cover as revolutionary design unveiled Red Bull receives spare parts in major Max Verstappen boost Red Bull has received the spare parts it needs to repair the RB22 for Max Verstappen to drive on Friday, RacingNews365 can confirm. The Milton Keynes-based outfit’s participation on the final day of the Barcelona test had been in doubt following Isack Hadjar’s heavy crash at the final corner on Tuesday afternoon. READ MORE: Red Bull receives spare parts in major Max Verstappen boost Mercedes avoid 'major issues' as George Russell hails shakedown test George Russell has hailed the progress made by Mercedes across the Barcelona shakedown test, confirming that no "major issues" were experienced. Thursday marked the end of Mercedes’ running at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, having also run on Monday and Wednesday. READ MORE: Mercedes avoid 'major issues' as George Russell hails shakedown test Lewis Hamilton details first Ferrari dry running after 'miserable' F1 testing start Lewis Hamilton has detailed his first dry running in Ferrari's 2026 F1 car, following a "miserable" start in the wet on Tuesday. Hamilton's first track action at the five-day Barcelona test came on Tuesday afternoon in wet conditions, before finally getting to drive the SF-26 in the dry on Thursday morning. READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton details first Ferrari dry running after 'miserable' F1 testing start 2026 F1 Barcelona Pre-Season Test - Day 4 results George Russell underlined Mercedes' superiority in pre-season testing in Barcelona by posting the quickest time of the week so far. Team-mate Kimi Antonelli set the benchmark in the morning session, with a lap of 1:17.081s proving to be the best of the 90 he clocked as Mercedes also again racked up the laps. READ MORE: 2026 F1 Barcelona Pre-Season Test - Day 4 results