Day three of the Barcelona Shakedown concluded, marking the event’s halfway point. Here’s a summary of the key highlights:
Teams and Drivers on Track
- Morning Session: George Russell started for Mercedes, followed by rookie Arvid Lindblad with Racing Bulls, and Franco Colapinto in Alpine. Ollie Bearman drove for Haas and Nico Hulkenberg for Audi. McLaren, with Lando Norris, had some initial garage time but later took to the track.
- Afternoon Session: Kimi Antonelli took over for Russell at Mercedes, while Pierre Gasly logged laps for Alpine.
Team Updates
- Aston Martin has yet to run but plans to start on Thursday and Friday.
- Williams confirmed they won’t participate in this shakedown, but team principal James Vowles noted their challenger is ready for pre-season testing.
- Teams are allowed to run for three out of the five days; Red Bull, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Haas, Alpine, and Audi have one day remaining.
Drivers’ Feedback
- George Russell reported good mileage and smooth progress, with plans for qualifying-style runs depending on weather.
- Antonelli enjoyed his afternoon run more than his debut day, appreciating the data collected during race simulations.
- Lindblad expressed excitement about his first proper run, noting good mileage and progress.
- Norris praised the unveiling of his new car, reflecting on the challenges of adapting to the 2026 model’s complexities.
- Gasly shared positive impressions of the new Mercedes power unit, while Hulkenberg reported a productive afternoon and a positive atmosphere at Audi.
Looking Ahead
Day four is expected to see Aston Martin debut their program, while teams will continue their preparations. Weather conditions may influence decisions on which day to run.
