Torquing Points: Test days and 2026 talk

Alex and Carlos kicked off a new season of Team Torque with regulation debates, winter reflections and plenty of banter

Published

03 MAR 2026

Est. reading time

3 min

Season three of Team Torque is officially underway and Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz were back behind the microphones, this time from the Bahrain International Circuit as pre-season testing got underway.

Recorded on ‘day zero’ ahead of testing, the latest episode blended the light-hearted moments you’ve come to expect from the Atlassian Williams F1 Team duo, alongside genuine insight into what 2026 could bring.

From regulation resets to winter burnout, here’s what we learned.

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With the FW46 out on track for a filming day, both drivers were able to get their first proper feel for the car ahead of six crucial days of running.

“It feels good to be at a dry track,” Alex smiled, compared to the less-than-ideal conditions experienced at Silverstone a few days prior.

Carlos described the early laps as productive and straightforward: the run plan completed, systems checked, and the team ready to gain valuable mileage.

But how does the 2026 machinery actually feel?

According to Alex, different – but not dramatically so. “You have a bit less downforce, a bit less grip, but you have more power,” he explained. “You’re always chasing that exit. It (the car) never feels stuck. It’s always moving.”

Adaptability, both agreed, will be key.

Alex Albon

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Open minds for a new era

When asked which driving habits might be punished most under the new regulations, neither driver was willing to give too much away. But one theme stood out: flexibility.

“You can’t be stuck on a certain driving style.” Alex said. “The car won’t feel consistent in the same way.”

Carlos agreed, adding with a grin that revealing too much would simply mean giving their rivals free advice.

What about the competitive order? Will 2026 reshuffle the grid more dramatically than 2022?

Both drivers expect change – but not chaos. The established front-runners, they believe, are likely to remain strong. However, the reset created by both chassis and power unit regulation changes could expose weaknesses and reward ambitious projects. Investment across the midfield has never been higher, and the performance gaps may look very different, particularly in the early stages of the season.

Carlos Sainz

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2026: Who might benefit?

In one of the episode’s more intriguing moments, Alex suggested that the characteristics of the new cars – lighter and more agile – could favour certain driving styles particularly well.

Pressed to name one, he offered… but we won’t spoil it here. You’ll have to listen to the episode yourself to hear his bold and nice early-season prediction.

Life in Formula 1

The conversation also touched on aspects of life in Formula 1 that fans often assume drivers control – but in reality, don’t. From tightly managed schedules to media commitments and travel logistics, much of a driver’s daily routine is carefully structured.

“Our schedules,” they answered immediately when asked what fans think they control but actually don’t. As Carlos later put it, “We are employees.” For all the glamour associated with being a driver in the sport, they still sit within much larger structure. It can be easy to forget that when drivers are racing, they are also working as part of a team of over 1,000 people.

A fan-submitted question then prompted a moment of perspective: what do they appreciate more now than at the start of their careers?

For Carlos, it’s the quality of life and the opportunity to travel the world doing something he genuinely enjoys.

Alex recalled his first flight to Melbourne in 2019 – unexpectedly upgraded to first class – and the surreal feeling of stepping into Formula 1 for the very first time. If you want to see just how genuine and unfiltered both Alex and Carlos are when telling these stories, this episode is not one to miss.

Catch the first episode below, and stay tuned for a new episode coming soon…

Catch up with Team Torque:

Ep.1 - Rapper names, 2026 regs & weird traits

Team Torque, presented by Atlassian, is back for 2026! Catch up with Carbono as they get back behind the mic ahead of an all new season...

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