Aston Martin will join the first Formula 1 test at Barcelona late and not maximise the permitted three days of running with its 2026 car.
The AMR26 is the first Aston Martin to be designed under the watch of Adrian Newey, the team’s high-profile recruit from Red Bull as managing technical partner.
Newey has also assumed the role of team principal in the wake of an internal shake-up late in 2025.
His arrival plus a new works engine partnership with Honda has raised expectations for the team assembled by Lawrence Stroll.
However, the AMR26 will have a belated on-track debut, as Aston Martin says its “intention is to run Thursday and Friday”.
The test began on Monday and teams can run on three of the five days.
Seven teams - Mercedes, Audi, Alpine, Cadillac, Racing Bulls, Haas and Red Bull - have already started testing on the opening day.
Ferrari and McLaren are set to join on Tuesday, although McLaren could delay until Wednesday.
Williams is the only team known to be missing the test as it has had delays in the build of its new FW48.
A reason for Aston Martin only being at Barcelona later this week has not been given - although there has been significant speculation online in recent days that the car is overweight and there have been problems on engine partner Honda’s side.
Newey is also known to push design deadlines extremely aggressively.
