F1 Barcelona Test Reveals Early Favorite, Spotlights Two Major Concerns
The 2026 Formula 1 season is off to an intriguing start, marked by the first preseason shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. This event was unique as it occurred behind closed doors, allowing teams to test their new cars and engines for three days. For newcomers Cadillac and Audi, this marked a significant milestone, as they debuted their vehicles for extended testing. Established teams like McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull aimed to establish a foundation for their championship aspirations.
Mercedes Emerges as Early Favorite
As the preseason launch unfolded, Mercedes quickly established itself as an early favorite. After previously dominating competitions following the 2014 engine regulations, the team showcased impressive performance during the shakedown. Drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli completed over 500 laps, including an extraordinary 183 laps on Wednesday. This performance fueled speculation about their championship potential as they reported virtually no issues with their new W17 car.
Positive Feedback from the Paddock
Sources from rival teams expressed admiration for Mercedes’ reliability and speed throughout the testing. Although Russell cautioned against overinterpreting lap times due to colder track conditions, he remains optimistic about the upcoming Bahrain test.
McLaren and Ferrari: Different Strategies Yield Results
McLaren’s aggressive car design mentality paid off as well. The team opted to delay their testing approach to maximize development time. However, Lando Norris experienced an encouraging debut with the MCL40, achieving 77 laps on the opening day. Despite a fuel issue limiting teammate Oscar Piastri to 48 laps, McLaren finished with a total of 288 laps, demonstrating their commitment to performance.
In contrast, Ferrari adopted a conservative testing strategy. Team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed the use of a basic car specification to ensure all systems functioned before pushing for performance improvements during the Bahrain test. Ferrari’s total of 436 laps, coupled with Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest lap in the closing minutes of the test, hinted at strong potential.
Red Bull’s Engine Program and Challenges
Red Bull undertook a monumental task in launching its in-house engine program, supported by Ford. The new engine program ran smoothly, with combined lap totals of 622 across both Red Bull and Racing Bulls teams. However, Isack Hadjar’s crash during testing raised concerns about the new team’s ability to manage unexpected setbacks.
Concerns for Aston Martin and Williams
Despite high hopes for Adrian Newey’s design of the AMR26, Aston Martin faced significant challenges. The team only managed one full day of testing, resulting in a considerable deficit of 429 laps behind Mercedes. Similarly, Williams opted to skip the Barcelona shakedown due to delays in part production, a decision that may put them at a competitive disadvantage going into the season.
Mixed Responses to the 2026 Cars
The initial driver feedback on the 2026 vehicles was cautiously positive. While drivers like Charles Leclerc found the new cars less enjoyable in simulations, the actual track experience seemed to reveal a more favorable opinion. Drivers noted the challenges presented by increased electrical power and active aerodynamics as stimulating aspects of the new models.
Looking Ahead: Bahrain Test to Clarify Competitive Landscape
The unusual closed-door test format provided teams with primarily internal insights. Nevertheless, the upcoming Bahrain test promises to illuminate which teams have emerged as front-runners ahead of the first race of the season. With two critical tests remaining, the F1 landscape could shift dramatically as teams finalize their preparations for a new era.
