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Charles Leclerc steals the spotlight as Aston Martin’s F1 testing nightmare deepens

David Castro by David Castro
February 20, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Charles Leclerc steals the spotlight as Aston Martin’s F1 testing nightmare deepens

Charles Leclerc Shines Bright as Aston Martin's Pre-Season Nightmare Deepens in F1 Testing

In a stunning showcase of speed and skill, Charles Leclerc has left his rivals in the dust during the final morning of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, clocking an impressive lap time of 1:33.689. The Monegasque driver not only topped the timesheets but also amassed a staggering 80 laps in just four hours, proving Ferrari's might as they gear up for the upcoming season. With Leclerc poised to take the wheel of the SF-26 for one last afternoon session before the teams jet off to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix, the stage is set for a thrilling start to the F1 season.

Meanwhile, Aston Martin's saga took a disastrous turn as their pre-season troubles intensified. Lance Stroll, the Canadian driver, was a mere ghost on the track, making a late appearance with only 18 minutes left in the session due to persistent power unit issues that have haunted the team throughout testing. Stroll's time on the circuit was far from impressive, as he failed to set a competitive lap, underscoring the dire state of the AMR26, which continues to struggle with power deficits and reliability problems. The car's early aerodynamic philosophy has also raised eyebrows within the paddock, leaving fans to wonder if Aston Martin can turn their fortunes around.

On a different note, young talent Kimi Antonelli continued to impress, building on his stellar performance from the previous day. The Italian driver had set the fastest lap of the Sakhir test with a blistering 1:32.803 and was second quickest behind Leclerc during the morning session. However, his momentum came to a screeching halt when his Mercedes suffered a pneumatic pressure failure, forcing the team to halt his run and ultimately change the power unit. George Russell is set to step in for the afternoon session, eager to capitalize on the momentum generated by Antonelli.

Oscar Piastri of McLaren also turned heads, finishing the morning in third place with a consistent performance in the MCL40. His teammate Esteban Ocon was the busiest driver of the session, completing a remarkable 82 laps, showcasing McLaren's reliability and readiness. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar secured the fifth position, adding 59 laps to his tally after a disrupted day on Wednesday. Sergio Perez's performance was less than stellar, as he struggled to find pace in the Cadillac, finishing almost five seconds slower than the next quickest car, driven by Nico Hulkenberg of Audi.

As the teams prepare for the final stretch of testing, the pressure is mounting. Will Ferrari's dominance carry over into the race season, or can Aston Martin turn their ship around in time for Melbourne? The clock is ticking, and fans are on the edge of their seats, waiting for the drama to unfold.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season1995-australian-grand-prix2025-mclaren-f1-championshipaf-corse-ferrariandrea-kimi-antonelli-3Aston MartinCharles LeclercLance Stroll
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