Ep 133: F1 2026 Testing: Aston Gearbox Trouble & A Very Real George Russell Problem

Testing is supposed to give us clarity. Instead, it has given us anxiety.

This week we break down our increasingly skeptical takes on the 2026 pecking order after a chaotic round of pre-season running. Between odd new starting procedures, Aston Martin’s gearbox headaches, and a paddock full of “it’s just testing” coping mechanisms, we’re trying to separate real red flags from strategic sandbagging.

We’ll talk about the early bad news stories, who looks genuinely comfortable with the new regulations, and who might already be scrambling behind the scenes. And yes… we have to address the elephant in the room:

Are we staring down a George Russell championship season?

Can anything be done to stop it? Should anything be done to stop it? And are we emotionally prepared for what that would mean?

It’s testing overreactions, early-season paranoia, and the usual Fast Ones detours as we inch closer to lights out in 2026.