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F1 Canadian GP sign error supports Jonathan Wheatley to Aston Martin discussion
motorsport.com·

F1 Canadian GP sign error supports Jonathan Wheatley to Aston Martin discussion

Formula 1 fans have lost it after a sign at the Canadian Grand Prix listed Jonathan Wheatley as part of the Aston Martin team. On Thursday morning, eagle-eyed passers-by and photographers noticed the sign in the VIP car park reserved for team members. In the designated Aston Martin slot was a printed sign for Wheatley. Although this sign has now been confirmed as a misprint, it follows ...Keep reading

Honda reports first annual loss in 70 years, what does it mean for its F1 project?
motorsport.com·

Honda reports first annual loss in 70 years, what does it mean for its F1 project?

Honda has presented its worst financial report since the Japanese manufacturer was listed on the stock exchange in 1957. Honda Motor had already forecast a loss in March based on its financial predictions, and that picture was confirmed last Thursday with the official figures. Over the financial year, which ended in March, Honda suffered a loss of 423billion yen ($2.68bn). These numbers are ...Keep reading

Fernando Alonso confirms significant Aston Martin detail after F1 test delay
racingnews365.com·

Fernando Alonso confirms significant Aston Martin detail after F1 test delay

Fernando Alonso has confirmed that Aston Martin completed its programme in Barcelona, despite missing the opening three and a half days of the test. The Silverstone-based outfit was not present in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya paddock at the start of the test and only arrived ready to hit the track on Thursday. Alonso completed 61 laps compared to Lance Stroll’s four, marking the lowest total of any team present at the test. However, unlike Williams, Aston Martin did at least gather some data, with its planned programme for the final day and a half being completed. Alonso’s sole running in the AMR26 came on the final day of the test, marking a “special moment” for the two-time world champion as it represented another new regulatory cycle he has entered. Despite the significance of driving the new car, Alonso is aware that much work is required before not only the next test, but also the first race in Australia. "It’s always a special moment driving a new car for the first time, especially at the start of a new regulation cycle," said Alonso.  "Over the years I’ve experienced many changes in Formula One, and you quickly get a sense of the direction the car is taking.  "We completed a solid programme with strong mileage, which is the main priority at this stage. It’s still very early days and we have a lot of work still to do before we head to Melbourne in March."

Oscar Piastri confirms McLaren 'working hard' on fix to avoid Friday F1 test no-show
racingnews365.com·

Oscar Piastri confirms McLaren 'working hard' on fix to avoid Friday F1 test no-show

Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren is "working hard" to fix a fuel system issue that triggered an early end to running on Thursday, in order to avoid missing the final day. Piastri was unable to run in the afternoon on Thursday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya due to the problem, restricting him to just 48 laps in the morning session. It represented a setback for the Australian driver’s preparation ahead of the new F1 season, with both he and the team lacking significant mileage. The Woking-based outfit has only the final day of the test remaining in Barcelona, putting pressure on McLaren to complete an overnight fix to the issue. According to Piastri, despite the limited running, McLaren has already identified areas it can improve, something it hopes to build on during the final day. "It was nice to be back out today, especially in the new car," said Piastri. "There’s a lot of challenges this year up and down the grid, so it was good to get stuck in.  "We had a fuel system issue, which cut our day short, but the team’s working hard to get that fixed and back out tomorrow. "These cars are completely different to what we’ve had the last few years. That’s part of what this test is about. We’ve already identified a few things that we can try to improve on the car to make it feel a bit nicer.  "We have one more day of running tomorrow. We’ll continue to get used to the car and get a good read on how different things feel. Then we’ll find a good direction to make the car quicker and feel nicer."

Red Bull skip Barcelona test Day 4 as wait for spare parts continues
racingnews365.com·

Red Bull skip Barcelona test Day 4 as wait for spare parts continues

Red Bull will not take to the Barcelona track on Thursday as it waits for spare parts to arrive at the circuit. The Milton Keynes-based squad used two out of its three test days to collect on Monday and Tuesday earlier this week. However, its run on Tuesday ended abruptly when Isack Hadjar slid off the circuit and sustained damage against the barrier. Red Bull confirmed it would not run on Wednesday as it continued to assess the car, and RacingNews365 now understands it will also skip Thursday. This is due to the fact it is still waiting for spare parts to arrive at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The parts are set to arrive at the track later in the day, which will allow Red Bull to complete the repair job. It is then expected that Red Bull will return to the circuit on Friday - a situation the team is optimistic will play out. Aside from Hadjar's crash, Red Bull clocked up respectable mileage across the opening two days as it collected data on its brand-new power unit.

McLaren F1 2026 debut plans put on hold
racingnews365.com·

McLaren F1 2026 debut plans put on hold

McLaren has confirmed a further delay of the shake-down of its MCL40 to RacingNews365 . Team principal Andrea Stella declared last week that the team would conduct a filming day, when 200 kilometres are allowed, on the opening day of the private, five-day test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Although the majority of the teams conducted meaningful running on Monday, with the likes of Mercedes and Haas clocking 154 laps apiece, McLaren did not run. On Tuesday, the inclement weather, with rain hitting the track mid-morning and continuing into the afternoon, meant McLaren continued keep its MCL40, which is due to run in an interim test livery, under wraps. With rain again forecast for Wednesday, there is a question mark hanging over the team and whether it will finally run, or whether it will wait for the better weather forecast for Thursday and Friday.

F1 teams missing en masse in Barcelona as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc handed free track
racingnews365.com·

F1 teams missing en masse in Barcelona as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc handed free track

If we look at who has been on track for the second day of F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona, the list is particularly short. Only two drivers were able to clock any laps at the Circuit de Catalunya before the expected rain arrived, namely Red Bull's four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari. Verstappen did not have the best of starts, however, suffering a trip into the gravel on his first lap, sparking a brief red flag as he was able to continue to the pits before moving on with his programme. Given the forecast for the day, Mercedes confirmed 20 minutes before the start that it would not run. Haas announced 14 minutes after that it would not be on track, although adding that this was planned as it was "focusing on all the data gathered yesterday". There was also no sign of Audi, Racing Bulls, Alpine and Cadillac emerging from the garage, whilst it was already known that Aston Martin and Williams are not in attendance, with the former hoping to take part on Thursday. The biggest question mark hangs over reigning constructors' champions McLaren. The team had expressed its intention to take to the track for the first time today, but it looks set to be stymied by the weather, which is poised to continue into tomorrow. As for the only two drivers who did take to the circuit, Verstappen and Leclerc posted times in the 1:20s, good enough for a spot in the midfield on Monday.