Overview
- Franco Colapinto logged extensive mileage in the new A526 and recorded an unofficial 1:19.150 in Barcelona, one of the session’s quicker laps reported just behind George Russell.
- After an early technical hiccup on day one, Alpine completed its systems checks, emphasized reliability, and progressed with integration of its new Mercedes power unit.
- Pierre Gasly added heavy laps on the final day, clocking an unofficial 1:17.707 as Lewis Hamilton set the week’s reference at 1:16.348 for Ferrari under private timing.
- Colapinto described the 2026 cars as delivering stronger corner‑exit power but less grip through turns, producing more sliding, with smaller dimensions that could help overtaking.
- The shakedown ran under strict confidentiality without official times; Alpine now targets more representative validation at Bahrain’s official tests on Feb. 11–13 and 18–20, with broader signals showing strong Mercedes mileage and Aston Martin’s Newey‑designed AMR26 debuting after an initial stoppage before Alonso completed 61 laps.