Why F1's Barcelona 2026 pre-season test is not on TV

Formula 1 pre-season testing for the 2026 season kicks off today in Barcelona with five days of running ahead. 

Of these five days, teams will be limited to just three days allowed on track, which they are able to individually choose depending on what best suits their testing plans, with Ferrari confirming it will not be running for the first time until Tuesday, 27th, February and then again on Thursday, 29th, with the third day still to be decided.

But unlike in previous years, when F1 pre-season testing has been televised, running in Barcelona will not be broadcast live. 

Live timing will not be available, with it being up to each team to decide what information, such as the number of laps completed and any lap-times, they release to the public. 

In the UK, Sky Sports F1 will be producing a nightly round-up of the action, but there will otherwise be little information from the private shakedown at the former Spanish Grand Prix venue, but why is this?

Why F1's Barcelona 2026 pre-season test is not on TV

During the last massive change to F1 power units in 2014, testing was the usual free-for-all, and the sight of multiple teams stranded in the garage suffering from teething troubles caused embarrassment. 

So, in order to avoid as much negative press as possible whilst teams and power unit suppliers ensure the basic fundamentals are actually working as intended, the Barcelona test has been declared as a 'behind-closed-doors' outing. 

The same was declared for the first 2022 test when the ground effect machines were introduced, and the nasty surprise of porpoising was discovered.

Essentially, F1's Barcelona 2026 pre-season test is not being televised to allow teams to complete their first serious running away from the media spotlight before heading to Bahrain's two three-day outings in February. 

At least nine of the 11 teams will be running in Barcelona at some point through the week. 

RacingNews365 reported last week that Williams will not be taking part due to delays in passing the crash tests, whilst Aston Martin is set to not be on track until Wednesday at the earliest.