Mercedes Leads Opening of 2026 F1 Barcelona Test

Mercedes kicked off the 2026 pre-season testing in Barcelona, becoming the first team to hit the track with rookie Kimi Antonelli behind the wheel. Despite the event taking place behind closed doors with limited information flow, early reports indicate the Silver Arrows dominated the first hour, completing nearly double the laps of their closest rivals as the new regulations era begins.

Why it matters:

The start of testing marks the first real-world validation of the 2026 regulations, which introduce significant changes to power units and aerodynamics. Mercedes' aggressive running suggests immediate confidence in their new car's reliability, while the strategic decision by Ferrari and McLaren to delay their track debut highlights different approaches to resource management and preparation.

The details:

• Track Activity: Seven of the eleven teams were active within the first hour. Following Mercedes, Audi (Gabriel Bortoleto), Alpine (Franco Colapinto), Red Bull (Isack Hadjar), Racing Bulls (Liam Lawson), Haas (Esteban Ocon), and Cadillac (Valtteri Bottas) all joined the session.
• Mercedes' Dominance: Antonelli set the early pace, not just in lap times but in volume. The team completed almost twice as many laps as the next best runner, with the young driver visibly pushing the car harder than his peers.
• Shakedown Advantage: Haas and Audi looked comfortable early on, having already completed private shakedowns at Fiorano and Barcelona respectively prior to this official test.
• The Wait List: Ferrari and McLaren have confirmed they will wait until day two to run, while Williams is skipping the Barcelona test entirely. Aston Martin is also rumored to be delaying their appearance until later in the week.
• Early Glitches: Alpine's session wasn't entirely smooth, with Colapinto experiencing a noticeable wobble at Turn 10 before returning to the garage.

What's next:

The track action is expected to intensify tomorrow as Ferrari and McLaren join the fray. With the initial installation laps out of the way, teams will likely begin pushing for performance data, giving the paddock a first glimpse of the true pecking order for the 2026 season.