Top five learnings from F1’s 2026 Barcelona shakedown
02 February 2026We got the first proper glimpse of Formula 1’s all-new 2026 machinery at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya’s private shakedown test, and teams quickly set about logging as many laps as they possibly could.
With radically new chassis regulations, active aerodynamics and a new 50-50 power unit split, trouble-free running would be a miracle in itself. Remarkably, that was the case for 10 out of the 11 teams on the grid.
So, here are our top five learnings from F1’s 2026 Barcelona shakedown test.
1. Mercedes might turn out to be the real deal
Mercedes arrived in Barcelona with expectations gaining momentum in the background. The last time Formula 1 underwent a regulation overhaul of this scale, the Brackley squad established itself as the dominant force for the next seven seasons.
Across three days of running, Mercedes completed just over 500 laps, comfortably one of the highest totals of the test. While the actual lap times set should be taken with a sizeable pinch of salt, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli sat near the top of the sheets for much of the week.
2. Adrian Newey has gone big on the new regulations
Adrian Newey’s first Aston Martin was always going to be one of the biggest talking points of 2026, and the AMR26 didn’t disappoint on that front.
It was easily the most radical interpretation of the new regulations in Barcelona, pushing the limits of packaging, aerodynamics and overall philosophy. The car arrived late, but still managed a handful of laps on Thursday before Fernando Alonso took over for more meaningful running on Friday.
There are enormous unknowns surrounding Aston Martin’s package. The team has switched from Mercedes to a works Honda power unit, while also producing its own gearbox and suspension. It’s a lot of new elements converging in one fell swoop.
Whether the Newey magic translates into outright performance remains to be seen, but Aston Martin has made it abundantly clear they are not turning up to play it safe in 2026.
3. Ferrari left it late but still topped the times
Ferrari’s Barcelona shakedown was understated, but efficient rather than headline-inducing, at least until the very end.
The Scuderia focused on steady mileage throughout the week, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc ticking off their programmes uneventfully. Speaking after his early runs, Hamilton was notably upbeat about the new generation of cars and Ferrari’s overall package, even going as far as to praise the return of more oversteer-biased handling characteristics.
Then, in the final moments of the test, the seven-time world champion delivered the fastest lap time of the week. Hamilton’s late flyer does not suddenly dub Ferrari favourites for 2026, but it does suggest that the Italian team have started this regulation cycle with solid footing.
4. Williams’ absence raises early questions
While 10 teams took to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for shakedown, Williams were the notable absentee.
Delays in the team’s schedule meant it opted to skip the shakedown entirely, instead conducting a Virtual Track Test programme while focusing resources on ensuring the car is ready for official pre-season testing in Bahrain. Team principal James Vowles has played down concerns and remains hopeful ahead of a full six-day Bahrain programme.
Still, missing valuable real-world running under new regulations is a worst-case scenario, especially for a team looking to carry momentum from a strong 2025 season.
Williams has been here before, and while shakedown does not define the season, it does place added pressure on its Bahrain running.
5. A tentative pecking order is already forming
Even with all the usual shakedown disclaimers firmly in place, three distinct groups began to take shape in Barcelona.
At the front, the established heavyweights looked just that. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull all clocked plenty of miles and posted competitive times.
Behind them, a midfield pack of Racing Bulls, Haas and Alpine emerged, while the new names on the grid, Audi and Cadillac, faced the steepest learning curves.
What happens next?
Teams will now take the data they collected in Barcelona and hastily prepare any updates they can ahead of official 2026 F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, which begins on February 11.
Unlike the Barcelona shakedown, those sessions will be public, with live coverage offering fans their first proper chance to watch the new generation of cars on track.
