Although Alex Albon says missing the opening pre-season test in Barcelona is not how Williams wanted to start the year, he claims that is what happens when \u201cpushing the limits\u201d.<\/p>\n
This year, Formula 1 is embracing a new generation of cars with ground-effect aerodynamics making way for active aerodynamics on shorter, lighter machinery. And several of the teams are taking every moment they can before entering the test arena.<\/p>\n
Alex Albon: Full focus ahead!<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n Williams is one of those.<\/p>\n While McLaren, the reigning F1 World Champions, and Ferrari have confirmed that they won\u2019t be present at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Monday for the opening day of pre-season testing, Aston Martin is also set for a delayed start.<\/p>\n Teams to skip Day One in Barcelona<\/p>\n McLaren plans delayed Barcelona test start for MCL40<\/a><\/p>\n Ferrari confirms plan to skip opening day of Barcelona shakedown<\/a><\/p>\n Aston Martin set for delayed start to Barcelona test<\/a><\/p>\n PlanetF1.com understands Aston Martin\u2019s Adrian Newey-designed AMR26 will not run on Monday in Spain, but a decision regarding the team\u2019s test programme is not officially expected until Monday. Sources have indicated confidence that the team still carry out the permitted three days in the five-day outing.<\/p>\n For Williams, though, it is a different story.<\/p>\n The team has announced that it won\u2019t run at all in Spain, citing \u201cdelays in the FW48 programme\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cAtlassian Williams F1 Team has taken the decision not to participate in next week\u2019s shakedown test in Barcelona following delays in the FW48 programme as we continue to push for maximum car performance,\u201d read a short statement from the team.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team will instead conduct a series of tests, including a VTT programme (virtual test track) next week with the 2026 car, to prepare for the first official test in Bahrain and the first race of the season in Melbourne.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are looking forward to getting on track in the coming weeks and want to thank all our fans for your continued support \u2013 there is a lot to look forward to together in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n It is understood that Williams informed the team of the situation in an address on Friday, prior to the announcement going out.<\/p>\n Albon<\/a>, however, isn\u2019t worried about missing the much-needed track time as Williams prepare for F1\u2019s all-new active aerodynamic era.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not how we wanted to start the year,\u201d the Thai-British driver wrote on Instagram, \u201cbut these things can happen when you are pushing the limits!<\/p>\n \u201cFull focus ahead!\u201d<\/p>\n This season Formula 1 is racing brand new cars, with machines that are 20 centimetres shorter than the 2025 edition and 30kg lighter and incorporate active aerodynamics for the first time.<\/p>\n Formula 1\u2019s engine regulations are also changing this season, with a new power unit formula that runs on sustainable fuel with an increase in the electrification that sees the engines powered in a 50\/50 split with the internal combustion engine.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n