Aston Martin will miss the first two days of a private Formula 1 pre-season test in Barcelona due to minor delays in preparations. The team aims to begin running on Wednesday, January 28, as it gears up for the 2026 season. This setback comes amid high expectations for the Silverstone-based outfit.
Aston Martin is encountering a significant disruption to its preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing. According to sources familiar with the situation, the team will not participate during the initial two days of the five-day private test held behind closed doors at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. The test begins on Monday, with Aston Martin's most optimistic timeline placing it on track for the first time on Wednesday, January 28.
Minor delays across several areas have led to this absence, though equipment and team personnel have already arrived in Barcelona. A team spokesperson told RacingNews365 that the run plan would be confirmed at the start of the new week. Each team is limited to three running days during the five-day event, which, combined with two three-day tests in Bahrain, provides a total of nine testing days ahead of the new regulations.
This delay follows a similar issue for Williams, which will skip the Barcelona test entirely due to problems passing crash tests on its new FW48 car. For Aston Martin, 2026 represents a prime opportunity to challenge for championships and race wins. Owner Lawrence Stroll has driven heavy investments, including a new state-of-the-art factory at Silverstone and a works engine deal with Honda. The team has also recruited Adrian Newey from Red Bull as technical director, bolstering its bid under the new rules.
The driver lineup remains Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, forming the most experienced pairing in F1 history with 614 combined starts. These developments underscore Aston Martin's ambitions, even as early hurdles test its resolve.
