Fine-tune the cars

By Jaume Salas

Everyone was eager to test the 2026 car. Although the chassis and engine remain unchanged, the tyres do not: according to Pirelli, each compound is one step softer. And the drivers finished the test genuinely pleased, both with the grip and the durability.

After three intense days of testing, an early picture is beginning to form of who could be the title contenders. At the front is Freddie Slater, who set the fastest time of the week with a 1:27.020. Not only that, he also broke the circuit record set by Pepe Martí at the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, beating it by more than half a second. A clear statement of his pace and rapid adaptation to the car, as despite racing in three Grands Prix last year, he still counts as a rookie in the category.

Another name sure to generate headlines is his team-mate Noah Strømsted. The Danish driver was consistently among the quickest throughout the three days.

And if Trident have positioned themselves as early favourites, Campos are not far behind. Their two drivers, Ugo and Naël — the most recent Macau Grand Prix winners — ran consistently, avoided mistakes and set benchmark lap times. All signs suggest they will be fighting at the front from the very first race.

Elsewhere, the standout feature of the test was how close the field is: on the final day, there was just one second covering first to 26th place. Apart from two or three red flags caused by minor off-track excursions, everyone completed enough laps to familiarise themselves with both the car and the tyres. Three well-used days to fine-tune the machinery.

Now, all that remains is to wait for the lights to go out in Australia. ❙❘