Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time on the final day of F1's 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona, driving for Ferrari. His late lap edged out McLaren's Lando Norris, offering an early hint of the competitive landscape under the new regulations.
Jack Doohan's planned move to Japan's Super Formula championship with Kondo Racing has collapsed due to a failure to secure the required budget. This setback leaves him without a 2025 race seat and endangers a linked opportunity to become a reserve driver for the Haas F1 Team, putting his immediate future in top-level motorsport in serious doubt.
Ferrari principal Fred Vasseur says completing 170 laps in Barcelona was a crucial first step for understanding the new SF-26, with mileage being the top priority over speed in this early phase of the 2026 car development cycle.
F1 teams concluded their final pre-season test in Barcelona, with Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren completing crucial mileage. The sessions provided the last chance to refine cars and gather data before the competitive season begins next week in Bahrain.
Pierre Gasly has expanded his sports business portfolio by investing in the Tech3 MotoGP team through his Trail Slam fund. He joins a consortium led by ex-F1 boss Guenther Steiner, beating other F1 drivers to a stake in the series and marking a strategic move into motorsport team ownership alongside his Alpine racing duties.
Williams Racing headlines a busy week of F1 commercial deals, securing three new partners and extending its Kraken agreement. Audi, Ferrari, and McLaren also announced new technical and operational sponsorships, underscoring the sport's robust business appeal ahead of the new season.
Sergio Perez says Cadillac's first F1 test revealed more problems than surprises, but the team is treating it as a crucial debugging phase. The new American outfit faced issues with its Ferrari-powered car and systems, yet views solving them now as essential preparation for its debut season.
Carlos Alcaraz channeled F1 legend Fernando Alonso's iconic victory pose after reaching the Australian Open final, highlighting a cross-sport admiration between the two Spanish champions. The tennis world No. 1, who credits Alonso for making him an F1 fan, will now compete for the title in Melbourne as his motorsport hero prepares for the F1 Grand Prix in the same city this weekend.
Martin Brundle says Red Bull Powertrains' reliable pre-season testing performance didn't surprise him, recalling being stunned by the scale of its factory during a tour with Christian Horner over a year ago. He contrasts the smooth 2026 launch with the chaotic 2014 hybrid introduction, crediting massive investment and expertise.
Charles Leclerc finished pre-season testing on a high note, leading the final morning session in Barcelona as Ferrari completed its program. Both he and teammate Lewis Hamilton expressed satisfaction with a productive and reliable test, building confidence ahead of the Bahrain season opener.
Mercedes hailed a perfect start to the 2026 F1 era after a dominant private shakedown in Barcelona, where impressive reliability and high mileage—including a full race simulation—have fueled optimism for a return to championship-contending form under the new regulations.
Honda is finalizing plans to enter the WEC's Hypercar class, likely in partnership with Inter Europol Competition. The manufacturer can leverage its existing Acura IMSA engine, marking a strategic expansion while it maintains its core focus on F1 and MotoGP.
