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McLaren’s oscar piastri faces disaster at F1 testing as rivals shine in Barcelona showdown

Redação by Redação
January 29, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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McLaren’s oscar piastri faces disaster at F1 testing as rivals shine in Barcelona showdown

Title: McLaren’s Pre-Season Struggles: Oscar Piastri’s Day Cut Short as Rivals Shine in Barcelona

In a dramatic turn of events during the penultimate day of pre-season testing for the 2026 Formula 1 season, McLaren found themselves grappling with a technical setback that severely limited their running time. As the atmosphere crackled with anticipation at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the spotlight shifted away from McLaren’s aspirations to the impressive performances of rivals Mercedes and Ferrari, who left the pit lane in a blaze of glory.

After reigning world champion Lando Norris had given fans a glimpse of the MCL40 earlier in the week, it was Oscar Piastri’s moment to shine on Thursday. However, a frustrating fuel systems issue thwarted his efforts, cutting his track time dramatically. Piastri managed just 48 laps, a staggering 100 laps fewer than both Mercedes and Ferrari on a day when astonishment reigned as Aston Martin finally made their long-awaited debut.

Piastri expressed his disappointment, stating, “Unfortunately, a few issues today. We had a fuel systems issue which cut our day a bit short, but I know the team is working really hard to get that fixed and get us back out for as many laps as we can tomorrow.” With McLaren’s struggles in the spotlight, the team is under immense pressure to resolve these technical hiccups and regain their footing as they gear up for the season ahead.

Meanwhile, Mercedes showcased an awe-inspiring performance that has left fans buzzing. Utilizing the final day of their testing allocation, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell racked up a staggering 167 laps, with Russell stealing the show by clocking a blistering 1:16.445—almost two seconds faster than any other competitor. This impressive display has solidified Mercedes’ status as front-runners in the new era of F1, with insiders predicting a substantial advantage over their rivals.

Ferrari also turned heads with a robust showing, as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc combined for 174 laps, demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming season. Hamilton remarked on the team’s progress, saying they were “doing better” than last year’s pre-season testing, highlighting the optimism surrounding the Scuderia.

Adding to the day’s drama, Aston Martin finally took to the track, albeit with a hiccup. After announcing their absence for the first three days, the AMR26 emerged with just an hour left in the session. However, their day ended prematurely as the car brought out a red flag, closing the book on a tumultuous return. The excitement surrounding Aston Martin’s new design, influenced heavily by legendary team principal Adrian Newey, is palpable, and fans are eager to see how they perform on the final day.

With Williams unable to participate throughout the event due to readiness issues, the testing landscape has seen seven teams complete two days of running, with all eyes now on Aston Martin to maximize their time on the track. Max Verstappen is set to make an appearance on Friday, following Red Bull’s absence due to a crash that left them sidelined for the past two days.

The countdown to the 2026 Formula 1 season is on, and with the Australian GP on the horizon, fans eagerly await to see how these pre-season developments will translate into competitive edge come race day. Buckle up—this season promises to be one for the books!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipaf-corse-ferrarigetspeed-mercedesLando NorrisLewis HamiltonOscar Piastri
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