World champions McLaren faced a delay in testing their new car due to weather conditions. They planned to begin running either Tuesday or Wednesday but decided to wait until Wednesday to take to the track. They will participate in the final three days of testing.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc drove in the morning session, followed by Lewis Hamilton in the afternoon. Together, they completed 123 laps, just shy of two Grand Prix distances. Leclerc remarked that the wet conditions weren’t ideal but emphasized the importance of sticking to their testing program over performance at this stage.
This season, F1 has introduced new rules for cars regarding chassis, engines, tires, and fuel. One significant change is the greater emphasis on hybrid technology, which will make energy management crucial for drivers. Leclerc noted that it was too early to comment on how the car is performing, as they haven’t pushed it to its limits yet.
He stated, “We focused on system checks. The more we drive, the more we will learn. Managing these aspects is going to be a different challenge for us.”
Ferrari hopes the new regulations will give them an edge after a tough 2025 season, where both Leclerc and Hamilton struggled to secure victories. Leclerc expressed excitement about seeing competitors’ performance as the season unfolds.
“This year is a big chance for teams to differentiate themselves,” he said. “I hope we can be the ones to make a significant impact. No matter where we start, we’ll push hard to get Ferrari back to the top.”
Recent trends show that teams are eager to adapt to these changes. According to a survey conducted by Motorsport.com, 74% of fans believe the new regulations could result in a more competitive season. This enthusiasm for better racing dynamics suggests that both teams and fans are looking forward to how these shifts will shape the outcome of the season.
The focus now shifts to the upcoming races, where teams will begin to push their limits and showcase their improvements.
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