Formula 1 pre-season testing in Barcelona saw McLaren hampered by a technical issue on Thursday. Oscar Piastri's running was cut short due to a fuel system problem, limiting the team to just 48 laps. Meanwhile, Aston Martin made their first appearance at the behind-closed-doors event, which is giving teams a first chance to test their all-new cars for 2026.

Mercedes enjoyed a productive day, with George Russell setting the fastest lap time. He clocked a 1:16.445, almost two seconds clear of other cars. The team continues to impress as the new season approaches. These tests are crucial for teams to dial in their setups with new car regulations, as well as to assess new driver pairings and overall car performance.

Piastri expressed disappointment at the issues, but optimism that the team could resolve them quickly. With new power unit and chassis regulations in effect, teams are eager to gather as much data as possible during these early tests. The goal is to maximize performance ahead of the first race.

Next, teams will continue testing in the coming days, working to fine-tune their cars before the season starts. The early pace of Mercedes suggests they could be a strong contender, but it's still early days and anything can happen in the upcoming season. All eyes are on the teams to see how they will perform.