Lance Stroll was given the chance to debut Aston Martin’s new AMR26 during the pre-season shakedown at the Circuit de Catalunya, but his outing was cut short after completing only five laps due to an electrical issue. This restriction occurred on Thursday, the team’s first full day of activity at Barcelona, limiting Stroll’s ability to fully evaluate the car’s capabilities. His teammate Fernando Alonso took over on Friday, logging 49 laps and collecting valuable data on the Honda-powered chassis.
Electrical Trouble Curtails Stroll’s Track Time with AMR26
Aston Martin arrived later than many other teams at the Circuit de Catalunya, beginning preparations on Wednesday evening. The AMR26, designed by Adrian Newey and featuring Honda’s new power unit, required extensive system checks before it could undertake full running. Stroll’s initial stint was restricted to a single installation lap early on Thursday, after which he returned to the garage for further adjustments.
Attempting another outing later that day, Stroll was instructed to stop on circuit after only a few laps. Officials detected a potential electrical fault indicated by the car’s LED lights, presumably linked to the new Honda engine package. As a safety precaution, marshals signaled the Canadian driver to end his run, bringing his total to just five laps.
Fernando Alonso Gains Extended Running to Gather Data
The following day, Alonso took charge of the AMR26, completing an unofficial 49 laps over the course of the full eight-hour track session. In contrast to Stroll’s limited time behind the wheel, Alonso’s extended work enabled him to better understand the new car’s characteristics and the nuances of the Honda power unit in race trim. By the end of the session, Alonso recorded the tenth fastest time among the field of eleven runners, highlighting the early phase of Aston Martin’s preseason development.
Expert View: Stroll Likely Frustrated by Limited Track Time
Bernie Collins, a former Aston Martin strategist, commented on Stroll’s probable reaction to the curtailed run.
“I think he will feel a little bit hard done by, he would have wanted more laps in the car than that,”
Collins told Sky Sports. She suggested that the decision on which driver would run first was either deliberate or down to chance, describing it as “luck of the draw.” Collins added that teams often try to balance track time between drivers over the duration of pre-season testing, especially if weather conditions affect some sessions.
She explained,
“It’s the same when you get a wet day, they’ll maybe try and even out those laps in the later tests, if there’s any possibility to do that, and that’ll definitely be where Lance’s objective is.”
According to Collins, Stroll remains calm and understands that the current focus is on gathering data rather than outright performance. She said,
“He’s looking quite relaxed there. He’s not looking frustrated with the car, even though he only got four laps.”
Collins also highlighted the team’s efforts behind the scenes:
“So, maybe a bit quietly confident of the work that’s gone in, and I’m sure he knows it has been hard for everyone back at the factory.”
Aston Martin’s Step Forward and What Lies Ahead
The AMR26’s introduction represents a key moment for Aston Martin as it integrates Adrian Newey’s aero expertise with Honda’s fresh power unit. Although the delay and electrical setback limited Stroll’s initial driving time, the data gathered during the Barcelona shakedown offers the team a foundation for ongoing development. Fernando Alonso’s greater mileage will help identify areas for improvement as Aston Martin aims to enhance reliability and competitiveness heading into the main pre-season events in Bahrain.
As testing continues, it is expected that conditions will allow Stroll to gain a more comprehensive experience with the AMR26, reducing any frustration from this early limitation. The team’s ability to resolve electrical concerns and optimize the car’s performance will be critical in establishing Aston Martin’s presence in the upcoming Formula 1 season.
