F1 TEST: MCLAREN HITS TRACK, RED BULL BIDES TIME, ALPINE SHINES AND AUDI RUNS INTO TROUBLE

Lando Norris has taken the new McLaren out on track on Day 3 of the F1 test in Barcelona. Image: McLaren

Lando Norris has hit the track for the first time this week, as McLaren begins its programme on Day 3 of the Formula 1 pre-season test in Barcelona.

The wheel of the MCL40 has been turned in anger for the first time on Wednesday morning by the reigning World Champion, the car sporting a special black livery, as well as the #1.

With the media and data blackout continuing, all information is subject to confirmation, but early reports suggest Norris has been part of a varied strategy by Mercedes to increase the testing of its new powertrains.

The German marque’s works team is thought to be focusing on long runs, with McLaren opting for short runs before pitting.

Mercedes’ newest customer, Alpine, is deploying a similarly long strategy, with Franco Colapinto reportedly setting a 1:19.150, which is thought to be the quickest time of the day so far.

 | Audi is facing real challenges during this shakedown.

They ran 27 laps on Monday before Bortoleto had to retire from a mechanical issue and today Hülkenberg has had to retire the car as well after running into another problem.

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— deni (@fiagirly) January 28, 2026

Red Bull sits out Day 3 of F1 test as Audi runs halted by Hulkenberg woe

Red Bull has confirmed it will sit out Day 3 after a productive first two days, with Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen completing runs on Tuesday.

It is thought that the Milton Keynes-based squad has not made the decision based on Hadjar’s crash shortly before the chequered flag, with a calculated strategy as to which day it will decide to use as its final one of the week.

Ferrari have also yet to take to the track on Wednesday, after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both managed to get runs in on Tuesday.

Audi appears to have run into trouble, with Hulkenberg’s reported five laps down to a stoppage on track earlier in the morning, his R26 halting at Turns 9 and 10.

It is the second time the car has stopped out on track this week, with Gabriel Bortoleto also having to find a tow truck on Day 1.

Oliver Bearman has also been in the wars, his Haas VF-26 also stopping out on track in the morning, after some positive long runs from the car alreadty completed this week.

- Jack Oliver Smith

ASTON MARTIN WILL SKIP FIRST TWO DAYS OF 2026 BARCELONA F1 TEST

The British marque will not be seen in Barcelona this week by Wednesday at the earliest

Aston Martin is set to skip the opening two days of the first 2026 Formula 1 pre-season test in Barcelona, Motorsport.com understands. 

F1 is currently hosting a five-day shakedown at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (26-30 January), ahead of further tests in Bahrain (11-13 and 18-20 February) before the forthcoming campaign. 

This season will introduce widespread regulation changes and as a result, the Catalan test is being held behind closed doors with teams permitted a maximum three days of running. 

It is already known that Mercedes, Audi, Alpine, Haas, Cadillac, Racing Bulls and Red Bull are out on track during the first day, with McLaren and Ferrari set to start on Tuesday. 

Williams, meanwhile, announced last week that it was skipping Barcelona “to prepare for the first official test in Bahrain” with a series of virtual tests “following delays in the FW48 programme”.

The only team whose plan is not entirely known is Aston Martin, but Motorsport.com can reveal that it will not be seen in Barcelona until Wednesday at the earliest, with Thursday being a genuine possibility. 

Mercedes W17 Barcelona test
Photo by Formula 1

That is despite the Silverstone outfit’s hospitality and support structures being present at the track, but it is understood that Aston’s situation is similar to that of Williams with delays in development.

The 2026 regulations are proving a huge challenge for all teams with changes across the whole car: the chassis is now lighter and smaller, while power units feature more electric energy with a near 50-50 split alongside the internal combustion engine.

A car chassis becoming lighter is already proving difficult for teams, as they are struggling to meet the reduced minimum weight of 768kg - last year it was 800kg.

There is also the added complication at Aston Martin that it is partnering with a new power unit supplier this year, as it is becoming a Honda works’ outfit rather than its previous guise as a Mercedes customer team. 

This comes alongside a new team principal in Adrian Newey, who is stepping into the team boss role for the first time following decades of being a championship-winning designer. 

The expectations at Aston Martin are therefore huge for the coming years, especially following significant investment from billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll, but it may not meet the three days of track time in Barcelona this week.

- Roberto Chinchero