The first winter tests of Formula 1 for the 2026 season in Barcelona revealed many surprises. While rumours of technical issues intensified, reality often defied predictions. Promising performances are already emerging for some teams, but others still need to fine-tune their machines before the big start.
Hamilton the Fastest, Russell the Diligent
Lewis Hamilton brilliantly recorded the best time of the private tests in Barcelona, a performance that certainly raises alarms for the competition. Although we won’t dwell too much on these times in this pre-season, it is interesting to note that four drivers managed to go below the 1’17 mark: Hamilton, George Russell, reigning champion Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc. It’s almost as if the battle for pole position this year has already begun even before the real game starts.
In terms of mileage, six drivers surpassed 200 laps, totalling 931 km. George Russell, a true workhorse, accumulated 1234 km over the three days of testing. Esteban Ocon, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and Pierre Gasly also performed well, while Hamilton completed 209 laps. In contrast, the drivers from Cadillac and Aston Martin faced a less enviable fate: Lance Stroll managed only five laps in the AMR26 before handing the wheel over to Fernando Alonso. A bit like a child having their toy taken away by a friend…
This information is not official.
Mercedes and Ferrari Surpass 2000 km
Lewis Hamilton was particularly active during these tests, and that is not surprising. What is truly impressive is the mileage accumulated by Mercedes and Ferrari, both surpassing 2000 km. Mercedes even exceeded 2300 km, demonstrating their resilience despite the radical changes made to their chassis and engines. We are far from the chaotic beginnings sometimes experienced in the past, like those of 2014.
Ferrari, on the other hand, struggled with a wet start, but that did not prevent them from showing good potential. Their customer teams, Haas and Alpine, also showed promising results with over 1500 km on the clock. In contrast, Red Bull and McLaren struggled to assert themselves, while Cadillac did not exceed 763 km despite a full run over three days. For Aston Martin, the test became a simple shakedown with only 300 km completed.
Audi and Honda Have Work to Do on the Engine Side
In terms of engine manufacturers, Mercedes and Ferrari continue to lead the pack. Each saw their teams cover over 5000 and 4000 km, respectively. Red Bull, with their new F1 engine, pleasantly surprised by totalising nearly 3000 km with their two teams. It’s a good start for a team that still needs to fine-tune its performance.
However, Audi did not have the same luck. As a newcomer to the field, they faced some difficulties but managed to turn the situation around thanks to a very productive Friday. In contrast, Honda starts with a significant delay, accumulating little data and experiencing doubts about their power. A challenging start to the season is already looming for them!
*Williams, therefore, is not counted in the average calculation for the Mercedes teams.
Few Red Flags in Barcelona
In terms of incidents, this first test was surprisingly calm. With only nine interruptions over five days, the outcome is quite positive regarding red flags. Of course, this does not reflect all the challenges faced by the teams, but it is far from the alarming forecasts that preceded these tests. Even more impressive, there was only one red flag during the last two days, signalled during the first lap of the Aston Martin, just moments before the chequered flag. A sign that the teams managed to control their machines… or was it simply a matter of luck?
To summarise, these first tests in Barcelona revealed a mix of promises and challenges. Teams still need to fine-tune their performance before the start of the season, but the foundations seem solid for several of them. An exciting season is already promised!
