Barcelona 2026 Pre-Season Test Update: Red Bull Spring the First Surprise

Formula 1 has officially emerged from winter hibernation as the 2026 pre-season test begins in Barcelona, marking the first on-track running of the new regulation era. Although the five-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is taking place entirely behind closed doors, early details from the paddock have already begun to surface.

The opening test allows each team a maximum of three days of running across the five available days. It represents a critical evaluation phase for the all-new 2026 cars, featuring revised power units and associated aerodynamic concepts. Two further three-day tests will follow in Bahrain in February, completing the expanded pre-season programme.

Red Bull Straight Out, Hadjar Leads Early Running

Red Bull Racing wasted no time in getting its RB22 on track, completing its first installation laps on the opening day of the Barcelona test. The initial running delivered an early surprise, with the team opting not to place Max Verstappen in the cockpit straight away.

Instead, Red Bull entrusted the first laps to Isack Hadjar, who carried out the initial checks around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Verstappen observed proceedings from the pit lane and is expected to receive extensive running later in the week.

For Red Bull, this test carries particular significance. The 2026 season marks the first time in the team’s history that it will race with a power unit developed in-house through Red Bull Powertrains, in collaboration with Ford. Early validation of systems integration and reliability is therefore central to its Barcelona programme.

Williams and Aston Martin Yet to Run

Not every team began running on day one. Williams is absent from the entire Barcelona test after delays in passing FIA crash tests on key components of its new car, ruling out any on-track participation this week.

Aston Martin has also yet to begin its programme. The team is expected to join the test later in the week, with Wednesday currently viewed as the most realistic target for its first running.

Different Approaches from Ferrari and McLaren

Several leading teams have adopted alternative strategies for the opening test. Ferrari confirmed during its launch and shakedown at Fiorano that it would begin its Barcelona running on Tuesday. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc completed a short shakedown last week, giving the drivers an initial feel for the SF-26 before official testing commenced.

McLaren appeared at the circuit on Monday, but only for a limited shakedown and filming day. The team was restricted to a maximum of 200 kilometres on special Pirelli tyres designated for promotional use, rather than the standard test compounds.

The reigning drivers’ and constructors’ champions are expected to begin full testing on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on weather conditions. Rain is forecast for Tuesday, which may influence the timing of McLaren’s first full day of running.

Newcomers and Rivals Eager to Log Laps

Beyond Williams and Aston Martin, the rest of the field was active on the opening day. Audi, now operating as a full works team after taking over Sauber, began its first official pre-season test as a factory entrant.

Cadillac also made its on-track debut as Formula 1’s newest team, making day one in Barcelona a significant milestone for its project.

Racing Bulls, Mercedes, Haas, and Alpine all commenced their closed test programmes on Monday morning. At Mercedes, attention focused on Kimi Antonelli, who took his first laps in the team’s 2026 car.

Mercedes famously dominated the sport following the introduction of the V6 turbo-hybrid engines in 2014. Whether it has once again produced the benchmark power unit under the 2026 regulations remains one of the major unanswered questions of the test.

What Fans Can Expect from a ‘Private’ Test

Despite the closed nature of the Barcelona test, Formula 1 has committed to releasing selected photos and video content during the week. Teams are also permitted to capture limited footage in the pit lane and on track.

As in previous years, spy shots are also expected to emerge. Although circuit security is tight, certain vantage points around Barcelona have historically allowed glimpses of cars in action. There will be no live broadcast, but enough visual material is likely to surface to provide early clues about design philosophies across the grid.

The Barcelona test represents the first step in establishing the competitive landscape of the 2026 Formula 1 season. While data remains closely guarded and running time is limited, the signals gathered here will shape development direction ahead of the decisive Bahrain tests and the opening race in Melbourne.