Bernie Collins names the F1 driver who will be feeling most ‘hard done by’ after Barcelona test

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Sky Sports F1 pundit Bernie Collins believes that one driver on the grid will be feeling a ‘little hard done by’ after the first week of pre-season testing ahead of the 2026 season.

Although not officially called a pre-season test, 10 out of the 11 teams on the grid took part in three days of running at the Circuit de Catalunya last week.

Williams missed out altogether on running in Barcelona, while Aston Martin were only able to complete one full day of testing with Fernando Alonso at the wheel.

This immediately puts both teams on the back foot compared to Mercedes, who completed more than 500 laps before heading home on Thursday evening.

Barcelona shakedown complete ✅ Which team has surprised you the most? 👇

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Ultimately, the two tests in Bahrain will give fans a clearer idea of which teams have nailed the regulation changes, but the opportunity to test each car’s reliability in Barcelona might prove pivotal to how the start of the season goes.

Aston Martin are already facing ‘headaches’ going into this season, with issues arising over Honda’s power unit and their late arrival in Spain.

Bernie Collins now believes that Lance Stroll might be frustrated by the fact that he only managed a handful of laps before handing the car over to teammate Fernando Alonso.

Despite this, she senses that the Canadian driver is ‘quietly confident’ going into the 2026 campaign.

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Bernie Collins thinks Lance Stroll will feel ‘hard done by’ at Aston Martin after Barcelona test

Collins was asked on The F1 Show whether Stroll would be upset by the lack of running he did during the Barcelona shakedown.

She said: “I think he will feel a little bit hard done by, he would have wanted more laps in the car than that.

“But when they decided who was going to go first, or they drew straws, however they’ve managed it, then it’s luck of the draw.

“It’s the same when you get a wet day, they’ll maybe try and even out those laps in the later tests, if there’s any possibility to do that, and that’ll definitely be where Lance’s objective is.

Fill in the blank: Aston Martin will finish P_ in the 2026 F1 standings

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“If the laps can be the other way around in the final day of Bahrain, he’ll take that, so he won’t feel that disheartened at this stage because he knows it’s just learning about the car and not necessarily the performance running.

“He’s looking quite relaxed there. He’s not looking frustrated with the car, even though he only got four laps, as you say.

“So, maybe a bit quietly confident of the work that’s gone in, and I’m sure he knows it has been hard for everyone back at the factory.”

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Lance Stroll gives his verdict on Aston Martin’s start to the 2026 Formula 1 season

Stroll was comprehensively beaten by Alonso in qualifying last season and finished 23 fewer points than the two-time world champion.

He only recorded one top 10 finish in the final nine Grand Prix, and will be desperate for Aston Martin’s car to be more competitive so he can try and add to his three podiums.

No driver who attended the test in Barcelona completed less distance than Stroll, including both Cadillac drivers.

However, reflecting on Aston Martin’s start to the year, Stroll said: “It felt good to be in the cockpit for the first time this year.

“It was a long day for all the mechanics and everyone in the team, but they did a good job of getting the car ready. They pushed flat out.

“I really appreciate all the hard work that went into getting us on track. We got a few laps in at the end of the day, and the car was feeling good.

“Because so much is new on these cars, there’s a lot to learn, and so we’re just aiming to gather as much data as possible at the moment.

“It was good to get behind the wheel of the AMR26 for the first time and start to get a feel for the car. I look forward to getting to Bahrain and driving it again.”