Alonso shows pace as Aston Martin resolves issues in Barcelona test

Fernando Alonso put in a more representative run for Aston Martin on the final day of Formula 1 testing in Barcelona, signaling a recovery from the team's early reliability dramas. The session also saw McLaren, Haas, and Red Bull return to action after resolving their own technical issues, bringing most of the grid back on track for crucial 2026 development running.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing, especially for the new 2026 regulations, is a critical and limited opportunity for teams to validate their cars and powertrains. Reliability problems that eat into track time can set development programs back significantly, making Aston Martin's and others' quick recoveries vital for gathering the data needed to be competitive when the new era begins.

The details:

• After managing only four slow laps with Lance Stroll on Thursday before a stoppage, Aston Martin resolved the issue overnight. Fernando Alonso took over on Friday, immediately setting a best time of 1m22.889s—over 20 seconds faster than Stroll's limited running.
• McLaren returned its MCL40 to the track after fixing a fuel system problem that sidelined Oscar Piastri on Thursday afternoon.
• Haas resumed its program with Ollie Bearman after the British driver suffered two stoppages on Wednesday.
• Red Bull was back in action after spare parts were flown in and fitted to repair the damage from Isack Hadjar's crash on Tuesday, with Max Verstappen taking the wheel.
• Other teams including Cadillac, Audi, Alpine, and Ferrari also joined the final day of running in dry conditions.

What's next:

With the final day of this test week underway, teams will be pushing to maximize their remaining track time. Mercedes and Red Bull will sit out the day, having already completed their maximum allowed three days of the five-day test. The data collected here, particularly from teams that overcame early setbacks, will be instrumental in guiding development paths ahead of the next testing phases and the 2026 season launch.