F1 2026 Pre-Season Testing Begins in Barcelona with Mercedes, Audi, and Alpine

The 2026 Formula 1 season officially commenced this morning at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the green flag waved at the end of the pit lane. Mercedes led the charge onto the asphalt, marking the beginning of the first pre-season test, followed closely by Audi for their highly anticipated debut and Alpine.

Why it matters:

This five-day test in Barcelona is the first genuine opportunity for teams to assess their new machinery under competitive conditions. With the 2026 regulations bringing fresh challenges, early track time is vital for establishing reliability benchmarks and understanding the early pecking order before the championship battle begins.

The details:

• Mercedes was the first team to emerge, setting the early pace for the day's proceedings.
• Audi's Entry: The German manufacturer took to the track for their first official F1 session, marking a significant milestone as they embark on their debut season.
• Alpine joined the action shortly after, completing the initial trio of runners.
• Testing Format: The event spans five days, with each team allocated three days of running. Teams are free to complete as many laps as they like within their allotted time.
• Grid Status: While the paddock is bustling, reports suggest that all teams bar Williams are currently set up for this specific session.

What's next:

As the week progresses, teams will shift their focus from installation laps to performance runs and long-distance simulations. The data gathered here will be crucial for finalizing development directions before the cars are shipped to the opening race venue.