Hadjar Tops Unofficial Timesheets as 2026 F1 Testing Begins in Barcelona

Isack Hadjar has set the early benchmark for the new Formula 1 era, topping the unofficial timing sheets during the opening morning of pre-season testing in Barcelona. The Red Bull driver posted a 1:18.835, comfortably clear of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, as the grid began its first on-track evaluation of the drastically overhauled 2026 regulations.

Why it matters:

This session represents the first real-world data point for the new ground rules of F1, featuring active aerodynamics and revised power units. With no official timing provided by the sport, these unofficial laps offer the only early glimpse into the competitive hierarchy, suggesting Red Bull may have carried over its momentum despite the regulatory reset.

The details:

• The Pace: Hadjar’s best lap was nearly two seconds faster than Antonelli, who completed the most laps (56) among the top runners, showcasing strong early reliability for the Silver Arrows.
• Early Hiccups: The morning was not without drama. Running was halted twice; first for Franco Colapinto’s Alpine and later for Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi, with both drivers suffering technical issues that limited their mileage.
• Midfield Mix: Liam Lawson put Racing Bulls fourth, while Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas—now with Cadillac—focused on mileage, finishing fifth and sixth respectively but significantly off the ultimate pace.
• Unofficial Standings:
  1. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) – 1:18.835
  2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +1.865s
  3. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +2.513s
  4. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – +3.029s
  5. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – +5.685s
  6. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – +5.816s
  7. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – +6.461s

What's next:

The session resumes this afternoon in Barcelona, with teams likely to push for longer runs. Ferrari and McLaren are set to join the track tomorrow, while Williams has chosen to skip this test entirely. As the week progresses, the true picture of the 2026 grid will begin to emerge.