Aside from just a few brief filming runs, day one among Barcelona’s five-day shakedown was the primary actual alternative for System 1 drivers to place the brand-new 2026 technology of automobiles to the take a look at.
Seven of the 11 groups made it out on day one, with compelled to skip the week fully and for a minimum of two of the three days allowed per staff.
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No dependable lap instances had been out there from the behind-closed-doors take a look at – they usually would not have been in any respect related even when they’d been – however Crimson Bull’s was unofficially quickest from Mercedes’ , whereas was the most efficient driver logging greater than two grands prix distances. The wholesome quantity of operating completed on day one suggests groups needn’t have been as apprehensive about permitting public scrutiny as they had been.
Two parts which are of worth at this early stage are taking a look at those that made a troubled begin – significantly by not being on the bottom in any respect just like the aforementioned groups – and by listening to the primary impressions of those that did, with the unconventional shift of aerodynamic rules and a much bigger reliance on electrical energy set to overtake the way in which the brand new period of automobiles must be pushed, and raced.
Learn into it what you’ll, however by far probably the most glowing evaluate was reserved for the W17 pushed by .
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“It nonetheless will take a little bit of time to attempt all of the modes – overtake, override, all that sort of stuff – it is completely different,” Antonelli mentioned after taking over the total day for Mercedes. “However the automobile is sweet, it’s extremely good to drive and clearly, on the ability unit facet, it is a bit completely different in comparison with what we had final 12 months – it requires a bit extra administration nevertheless it’s all doable.
Antonelli additionally praised the driveability of the brand new Mercedes energy unit, which “was a giant query mark however appears to be good to this point.”
Esteban Ocon, Haas
Esteban Ocon, Haas
Crew-mate Russell, who took over the W17 for the afternoon session, additionally felt his new equipment was enjoyable to drive. “They’re fairly completely different for us as drivers however, when you get your head round it, driving them is sort of intuitive.
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“It is gratifying being behind-the-wheel and I believe there’s loads for followers to look ahead to with these new rules.”
Esteban Ocon, whose , nonetheless felt the driving force workload within the cockpit was “very sophisticated” with the squad’s energy unit.
“It’s totally completely different, very sophisticated,” he mentioned. “I used to be fortunate to have the ability to do a whole lot of simulator days earlier than we began the 12 months, so we’re fairly effectively set on that. “The whole lot is evident however sure, it’s extremely sophisticated for all of us. However I hope that this would be the identical for everybody.”
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, who made his debut within the first-ever F1 automobile – powered by the staff’s first F1 engine, felt his 2026 automobile was “very completely different however not one other world”. The Brazilian, a rookie in F1 final 12 months, has had a lot much less expertise with the earlier period of automobiles and has been used to altering automobiles each single season since his fast ascent up the single-seater ladder.
“They’re very completely different. They really feel slightly completely different,” Bortoleto mentioned after his Audi staff on the R26. “I do not know learn how to categorical this as a result of I did not actually drive any related automobile up to now. I might say the System 2 automobile, it is a lot slower than the previous rules of F1. And I really feel these ones are going to be slower as effectively.
“However it’s very cool to have the ability unit being 50% electrical now. You may exit of the nook, and you’ve got a lot pace being deployed after which you possibly can see how robust it’s. And this stuff are completely different and you want to get used to it and adapt your means of driving the automobile as effectively.
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“However it’s nonetheless a racing automobile and it isn’t one other world. It is only a new regulation change that may be very completely different.”
Alpine’s , who was one among three drivers to briefly cease on monitor out of precaution because the staff restricted him to 60 laps, largely echoed Bortoleto’s feedback. “They’re very completely different, however on the finish of the day it nonetheless is a race automobile, and you want to drive it rapidly throughout the grip that’s out there and that is very related.
“On the finish of the day, the approach is altering slightly bit, the vitality administration, the tyres are a lot thinner, smaller and, after all, we have to adapt our driving as effectively.”
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
man admitted “I undoubtedly have not received my head round it absolutely but” as he adapts to racing with Crimson Bull’s first-ever in-house energy unit, which was inbuilt collaboration with Ford. “It is one thing that we’ll continue learning over the following few days and weeks once we go to Bahrain as effectively. However it’s very, very completely different,” the New Zealander mentioned.
“It looks like there’s much more we will do as drivers probably to make a distinction, which is sweet. However proper now, it’s extremely early days. So it’s extremely arduous to know the place we’re. However for now, simply attempting to learn to optimise the automobile. I am having fun with it to this point.
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“The primary factor is reliability in the mean time. We have completed an excellent variety of laps right now, just a few little issues. And truthfully, the one points we actually had right now had been security precautions, not likely any precise points. To this point, truthfully, on the ability unit facet, it has been very, superb. However once more, it is arduous to know in comparison with everyone else the place we’re at.”
Barcelona’s F1 shakedown continues on Tuesday, which has the best chance of rain. Situations allowing, world champions and Ferrari are set to hitch the pre-season with their new equipment in Montmelo.
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