Aston Martin targets Thursday and Friday for 2026 Barcelona shakedown

Aston Martin has confirmed its intention to run only on Thursday and Friday during the upcoming Barcelona shakedown, meaning the Silverstone-based squad will miss the first half of the week's testing. This decision comes as the team races against the clock to prepare the AMR26, the first car overseen by technical partner Adrian Newey, for its on-track debut.

Why it matters:

With the 2026 regulations introducing massive changes including a new power unit formula, every lap of track time is vital for data collection and system validation. While missing the first three days puts Aston Martin on the back foot compared to teams who started Monday, the high-stakes gamble reflects the team's focus on getting the Newey-designed package right rather than rushing an unprepared car to the track.

The details:

• Limited Running: A spokesperson stated, "The AMR26 will be in Barcelona later this week for its shakedown. Our intention is to run Thursday and Friday." This leaves Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll with just two days to split driving duties before the car heads to Bahrain.
• Grid Status: Aston Martin is not alone in a truncated schedule. Williams is skipping the Barcelona test entirely due to delays, while McLaren and Ferrari also sat out Monday to focus on their preparations.
• Technical Significance: The AMR26 is a landmark project for the team, being the first car developed in their new state-of-the-art wind tunnel and the first led by legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey.
• Honda Partnership: The shakedown also marks the beginning of Aston Martin's exclusive works partnership with Honda for the new era, integrating the Japanese manufacturer's 2026 power unit into the chassis.

Looking ahead:

The primary goal in Barcelona is mileage and reliability rather than outright performance, a metric Red Bull led on Monday with Isack Hadjar. While Aston Martin will have less data than their rivals, the team will be hoping that the late start pays dividends with a refined and competitive package when the season officially kicks off in Bahrain next month.