Alfa Romeo 2026 Championship Build-Up Begins with Successful Pre-Season Track Day
The build-up to the 2026 Alfa Romeo & Italian Intermarque Championship is officially underway, kicking off with a crucial pre-season track day at the end of March. This session was designed to shakedown both car and driver, while putting a series of winter upgrades to the test ahead of the new racing season.
Key Winter Upgrades Tested
Over the off-season, several performance and reliability improvements were made to the car. These included:
- New alloy rear subframe
- Adjustable rose-jointed rear arms
- Polybush suspension bushes
- Lowered ride height for improved handling
- Redesigned fuel tank with added heat protection (following issues at Cadwell Park last season)
These upgrades aimed to enhance both durability and on-track performance, making this initial test day a vital step in preparation for the championship.
Track Day Conditions and Performance
After completing the sighting laps and waiting out multiple red flags during the opening hour, the focus shifted to consistent lapping. The goal was to evaluate the car’s behaviour, handling balance, and overall reliability across extended runs. Despite early forecasts suggesting poor weather, conditions remained dry albeit windy for most of the day. This provided a solid testing environment before rain finally arrived later in the afternoon.
On-Track Challenges and Driver Feedback
The day wasn’t without its challenges. An early spin at the exit of Shell Oils was likely caused by a combination of a green track surface, cold tyres, and a rusty driver. A second spin occurred late in the day while searching for additional lap time through Cascades. However, these moments provided valuable feedback and highlighted areas for fine-tuning both setup and driving approach.
Strong Foundations Ahead of Donington Park
Overall, the track day proved to be a major success. The car performed reliably throughout, with no significant issues or concerns arising. This result provides a strong foundation to further refine the setup ahead of the first race of the 2026 season at Donington Park in May. With pre-season testing off to a promising start, focus now turns to maximising performance and consistency as the championship opener approaches.
2026 ARIIC Calendar
Snetterton 200 – 25/26 April
Donington Park – 30/31 May
Cadwell Park – 13/14 June
Brands Hatch GP – 11/12 July
Brands Hatch – 09 August
Oulton Park 29/31 August
Silverstone National 10/11 October
Check out the complete 2026 Driver leneup over on the Alfa Romeo & Italian Intermarque Championship website: https://alfaracer.com/drivers/season/2026/