After the first tests in Barcelona, Franco Colapinto spoke about the performance of the A526
Colapinto spoke about the performance of the A526
porEditorial Team
Argentina
The Argentine driver lapped the Circuit de Catalunya with his new single-seater and emphasized the power, the lower grip and the need for adaptation
Franco Colapinto took one of the first steps of the new Formula 1 heading toward 2026 by getting into the A526 during the preseason shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Argentine driver shared his impressions after a key week of testing, marked by a deep regulatory change and by the need to adapt to an unprecedented generation of cars.
"New cars, new generation, it's a completely new era of cars and the innovations are so different that there is a lot to get used to. Not only for us, the drivers, but also for the engineers and the mechanics", Colapinto explained in statements to Sky Sports, when he referred to the technical context the category is going through.
The private test allowed the Argentine to add kilometers (miles) and complete one of the team's most productive days. On Wednesday he ran 58 laps and covered 270 kilometers (167.77 miles), after a debut on Monday with 60 laps and 279 kilometers (173.36 miles). In his best lap he set a time of 1:19.150, a time that placed him fourth behind reigning champion Lando Norris and the two Mercedes drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Beyond the lap times, Colapinto emphasized the value of collective work: "This test is very valuable so that everyone understands how everything works, how we need to start understanding the driving style, the technique, so that the mechanics understand how to drive the car, where the most sensitive parts of the systems, the chassis, and the setup are".
Colapinto valoró sus primeras pruebas con el A526
The team's main objective during the tests was to ensure reliability and to understand the car's systems. "We are doing all the system checks and trying to understand how the car works on track. We have to be reliable and try to deliver the most representative performance possible", said the driver, who in turn highlighted that the team managed to solve initial issues and move forward as planned.
Regarding the feeling at the wheel, the Argentine was precise in describing the behavior of the new Alpine. "There is quite a lot of power when exiting the corners and that is great. It is a pleasant feeling. But of course, you have much less drag. That lower drag makes it more difficult to accelerate with the extra power. So there is a lot of sliding, which makes it fun. Not so much for the tires, but yes for us, sliding a bit more", he detailed.
Colapinto also analyzed the structural changes to the single-seaters, which will be smaller and have less aerodynamic load. As he explained, that could make overtaking easier on narrow circuits, although it requires a period of adaptation, since higher speed is perceived on the straights but there is less grip in the corners and more sliding.
Colapinto destacó los cambios de los nuevos monoplazas
The experience in Barcelona left positive impressions for both the team and the fans. "You can see the cars, which is also important for the fans. I think that hopefully they will bring something pleasant, fun to the races. Some overtakes and they will be very useful for us drivers so that we can have a bit more fun, compete with others, and make overtaking a bit more possible will be something very good to have", Colapinto stated, hopeful about the impact of the new generation.
When Colapinto will race again
The Argentine will get back into the A526 in the official preseason tests in Bahrain, scheduled from 11 to 13 and from 18 to 20 February, before the formal start of the season at the Australian Grand Prix, which will be held from 6 to 8 March.
