Highlights from Day 3 of the Barcelona Shakedown: Key Moments You Can’t Miss!

Day 3 of the Barcelona Shakedown wrapped up, hitting the halfway point of the five-day event. Let’s dive into what happened on the circuit and what the drivers had to say.

Action on Track

The morning kicked off energetically. George Russell in his Mercedes was the first out, followed closely by rookie Arvid Lindbald for Racing Bulls, who experienced his first day on track. Franco Colapinto for Alpine, Ollie Bearman in the Haas, and Nico Hulkenberg for Audi also made their debuts.

While McLaren worked in the garage, newly crowned World Champion Lando Norris eventually took to the track, donning the #1 on his car. After a strong morning with many laps under their belts, the track saw more action post-lunch. Kimi Antonelli took over for Mercedes, while Pierre Gasly joined Alpine for the first time in the event. The afternoon ended with cars racing under brightening skies before the checkered flag fell.

Who’s Next?

Aston Martin was the only team yet to hit the track, planning to start their program on Thursday and Friday. Williams confirmed they wouldn’t participate, but team principal James Vowles noted their car passed all crash tests, ready for testing in Bahrain.

As for the remaining teams, Red Bull, Mercedes, Haas, Alpine, and Audi all have one day left at the Shakedown. Cadillac and Ferrari can run on both remaining days. McLaren also plans to return on Thursday and Friday.

Driver Insights

George Russell shared his thoughts, saying they logged a lot of laps, calling the day productive despite chilly track temperatures. He mentioned their plans for future sessions, saying they would focus on more qualifying-style runs, which might depend on the weather.

Antonelli echoed Russell’s sentiment, saying it felt better than his first day, with ample data collected. Lindbald expressed his excitement about his debut, calling the day “really good.” He felt fortunate to run smoothly and acknowledged room for improvement.

Norris had a happy return, calling it a great day to see the car in one piece. He noted it was a unique experience, explaining that while some aspects felt slower, the car felt quicker in terms of acceleration. His insights highlighted the challenges of adapting to the new 2026 regulations.

Bearman and Gasly also shared experiences, noting the early stages of development and adjustments to the new regulations. Gasly reflected on the novel feel of the Alpine car with the new Mercedes power unit, emphasizing the learning curve ahead.

Audi’s Debut

Finally, Hulkenberg made his first impressions driving for Audi. He admitted it started slow but ended well, with a productive afternoon. The mood seemed positive, as the team looks forward to their upcoming season.

Looking Ahead

Day 4 is set to continue with Aston Martin’s much-anticipated debut, while other teams build on their progress. Weather forecasts could influence track decisions, especially for teams with limited running days left.

For more details, check the official F1 website.

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