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McLaren's 2026 F1 Car Hit by Fuel Issue
30 Jan
Summary
- Oscar Piastri's first drive in McLaren's 2026 car was cut short.
- A fuel system problem prevented further laps after only 48.
- Despite the issue, preliminary car performance signs are positive.

Oscar Piastri's initial experience with McLaren's 2026 Formula 1 car was cut short on the penultimate day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. A persistent fuel system problem limited his track time to just 48 laps before the team decided to halt running and investigate the issue further. This limited running significantly trailed competitors like Mercedes and Ferrari.
Despite the technical difficulties, McLaren's performance technical director, Mark Temple, indicated that there were positive takeaways regarding the car's performance potential. He stated that the car's handling is aligning with team expectations, providing a solid baseline understanding. The team is focused on resolving the fuel system anomaly to maximize learning during the final testing day.




