Oliver Bearman hailed Haas's 'super impressive' reliability after the team completed nearly three race distances in a single Barcelona test session. The strong, trouble-free start under the new 2026 regulations provides a vital data-gathering foundation for the American squad as they learn their new car.
Reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris called driving his McLaren with the number 1 on it for the first time a "surreal" experience during pre-season testing in Barcelona. The first day focused on system checks and data gathering with the newly-built MCL40.
Audi's first F1 pre-season test has been challenging, with early reliability issues limiting crucial track time for its new power unit. The team needs a smooth final day to gather essential data and build confidence before its competitive debut in Melbourne, where simply finishing the race will be the primary goal.
Day 4 of F1's 2026 pre-season test continues in Barcelona after Mercedes set the pace on Day 3. Williams confirms its car is ready for the next test in Bahrain, as teams collect vital data under the new regulations.
Mika Hakkinen has spoken of his shock at Michael Schumacher's 2013 skiing accident, drawing a direct and painful parallel to his own life-threatening crash in 1995. The two-time champion's personal experience with a severe head injury gave him a harrowing understanding of the potential consequences, framing the tragedy as a cruel twist for a rival just beginning his post-F1 life.
Williams boss James Vowles says skipping the Barcelona shakedown was a painful but necessary strategic decision to ensure the team is fully prepared with spares and updates for the opening races, as the complexity of the 2026 car stretched production capabilities.
Mercedes racked up over 180 laps to lead a busy Day 3 of F1's Barcelona shakedown, as McLaren finally hit the track with Lando Norris. Rookies and established drivers alike logged crucial mileage in cold conditions, though red flags and technical issues provided early challenges for Haas and Audi.
Haas's 2026 car testing hit a snag as a 'more serious' reliability issue halted Oliver Bearman's running in Barcelona. While the team found positives in operational progress, the fault requires urgent analysis to avoid impacting its development schedule for the new regulations.
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad admits he doesn't know if he's 'entirely ready' for his F1 debut in 2026, focusing instead on relentless learning. His team's technical chief, however, praises the 18-year-old's calm professionalism and clear feedback during testing, as both driver and team grapple with F1's new regulations and an in-house power unit.
Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell set the pace on a busier third day of F1 testing in Barcelona, completing 183 laps. Lando Norris debuted McLaren's 2026 car, while Haas and Audi faced reliability issues that caused red flags.
Haas's second day of F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona was hampered by two reliability issues, limiting the team to just 42 laps. Despite the stoppages, Team Principal Ayao Komatsu said the car showed a 'huge step forward' in performance when it was running.
Max Verstappen narrowly missed the 2025 F1 drivers' championship by two points to Lando Norris, but embraced the underdog role, appreciating increased fan cheers over previous boos. He reflects on his unchanged approach and looks ahead to 2026's new regulations.
