Lewis Hamilton topped the final day of unofficial testing in Barcelona for Ferrari, but rival team sources report the new SF-26 is a "handful" to drive. This leaves Ferrari's early form ambiguous, with analysts tentatively ranking them fourth behind Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull ahead of crucial Bahrain testing.
Guenther Steiner views his Red Bull exit as 'lucky,' crediting it for his move to the U.S., where he built a successful company and founded the Haas F1 team by connecting with American culture and investors.
Christian Horner breaks his silence, expressing a desire to return to F1 but only for a winning opportunity. The former Red Bull boss reveals talks with multiple teams and emphasizes he seeks a partnership role, not just a job, with any potential move delayed until spring.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali states the championship's 2026 technical regulations, centered on sustainable fuels and a 50/50 hybrid power split, were instrumental in attracting automotive giants Cadillac and Ford. He argues the road-relevant rules have renewed manufacturer interest, strengthening F1's position at the forefront of innovation.
George Russell and Mercedes shared a laugh over a minor shin injury he sustained from his car, highlighting the team's upbeat mood following a strong pre-season test in Barcelona where they completed the most laps.
Cadillac F1 boss Graeme Lowdon says the team's Barcelona shakedown was purely about reliability, with a planned shift to performance-focused running set for the next test in Bahrain. The new squad prioritized building a stable foundation first.
Martin Brundle says Mercedes' trouble-free and pace-setting Barcelona shakedown for the 2026 cars is an early statement, drawing parallels to their last rules-era dominance. He also highlights the intrigue around Adrian Newey's first design for Aston Martin, which completed the fewest laps but features a radically different concept.
Netflix announced a 2026 documentary, 'Schumacher '94,' focusing on Michael Schumacher's controversial first F1 title win. The film will examine the dramatic 1994 season, including the tragedy of Senna's death and the infamous finale, while featuring personal insights from his family and team.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton set the fastest unofficial lap time at the 2026 car shakedown in Barcelona, with Mercedes completing the most laps. The test provided early indicators of performance and reliability, with McLaren also showing strong pace while Red Bull and Aston Martin had more subdued starts.
George Russell reports Mercedes' new W17 has no porpoising issues during Barcelona testing, crediting 2026 F1 rules that move downforce generation away from the floor. While the car is reliable and drivable, its true pace remains unknown ahead of the Bahrain shakedown.
Lewis Hamilton is revitalized by Ferrari's 2026 car, calling it "more fun to drive" due to its oversteery nature. He also senses a strong winning mentality within the team, though both he and team boss Fred Vasseur remain pragmatic about the development work needed before the season starts.
Lando Norris says McLaren's focus during Barcelona testing was on reliability checks and data gathering, not lap times. The reigning champion emphasized understanding the car's systems was more important than comparing performance with rivals like Ferrari and Mercedes ahead of the new season.
