Barcelona 2026 pre-season test update: F1 awakens from hibernation, surprise with Red Bull shakedown

The first pre-season test of 2026 is officially underway in Barcelona. Although the track is open for five days this week, the teams are allowed three days of running, all of which is behind closed doors as fans and media are excluded.

The test is necessary to evaluate the new cars, sporting new power units and associated aerodynamics. Two further three-day tests in Bahrain follow in February. So what do we know about the first day of testing so far?

Isack Hadjar gives RB22 the spurs

Red Bull immediately completed its first laps with the RB22. The Milton Keynes-based team chose to test day immediately, with, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Isack Hadjar at the wheel.

The Frenchman drove the first installation laps around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Max Verstappen is looking on for the time being, but will, of course, be given plenty of opportunity to put his new car through its paces.

For Red Bull, the test is crucial, especially since it has built its own engine, developed in collaboration with Ford, for the first time.

Williams and Aston Martin woes

While most of the teams are already in Barcelona or starting their program from Tuesday, that is not the case for Williams and Aston Martin.

RacingNews365 has previously reported that Williams is skipping the entire test, related to crash test failures on a new nose box, whilst Aston Martin has opted not to run for now. It is unlikely the Adrian Newey-led team will start its programme until Wednesday.

Different program for Ferrari and McLaren

In addition to Williams and Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren are also running a different program.

Ferrari indicated at the launch and shakedown at Fiorano on Friday that it will begin its test week on Tuesday. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both conducted a shakedown last week after the car's unveiling, providing them with an early feel.

McLaren will appear at the Barcelona circuit on Monday, but only for a short shakedown/filming day, allowing no more than 200km of running, and on special Pirelli tyres for such an event, rather than the regular rubber.

F1's defending drivers' and constructors' champions will start its week of testing on Tuesday or Wednesday, dependent on weather conditions - with rain expected on Tuesday - and how the shakedown goes.

New teams eager to join

Beyond Williams, Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren, all the teams were in action on Monday, including Audi and Cadillac.

Audi took over Sauber and is appearing as a factory team for the first time in F1, while Cadillac is new to the sport. It was, therefore, a major coup for both teams to be out on track on the first day.

Racing Bulls, Mercedes, Haas and Alpine also started the closed test on Monday morning. Kimi Antonelli took a seat behind the wheel of the new Mercedes, widely regarded as the favourite for this year.

Mercedes flew out of the starting blocks when the V6 engine was introduced in 2014, going on to dominate the sport for years. Has it again built the best power unit this year?

What fans can expect

How private is a private week of testing? F1 has promised that it will share some photos and videos during the test. The teams also have permission to take limited videos of the cars in the pit lane and on the track. So here and there, footage will appear.

Fans are also reliant on spy shots. Although the Barcelona circuit is secure, some know how to find secret spots and take images of the cars. So no live footage, but certainly some nice pictures.