Components 1 groups may have extra time to check their new automobiles for the 2026 guidelines overhaul, with the primary check scheduled for late January in Barcelona, Motorsport.com has discovered.
For the previous three years, F1 groups have had simply three days of official testing earlier than the beginning of the championship. However with a serious overhaul of the rules coming in 2026, the quantity of monitor time appears to be like set to triple.
The introduction of latest energy items and considerably revised chassis rules signifies that groups – and engine producers – may have extra time to iron out any potential points.
Present plans embody a five-day shakedown on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the 26-30 January, much like the additional testing days granted in 2022, the final time F1 underwent a big technical change.
The session is anticipated to be behind closed doorways, with groups free to decide on any three days inside the five-day window for on-track operating.
2026 Components 1 guidelines
Photograph by: FIA
This strategy is designed to assist groups maximise their time effectively, permitting them to regulate their schedules based mostly on climate situations and potential technical points.
As F1 prepares for probably the most vital regulatory modifications in its historical past, groups may even face the problem of integrating totally sustainable fuels alongside a extra highly effective electrical element. Making certain reliability is anticipated to be one of many groups’ prime priorities.
The early begin is probably going to provide groups and engine producers as a lot time as doable to determine and handle any potential reliability points. In 2022, a number of groups solely found the severity of the porpoising phenomenon throughout pre-season testing in Barcelona.
This additionally signifies that groups might want to alter their growth schedules, as they might want to have their automobiles able to hit the monitor virtually a month sooner than in 2025.
Following the Barcelona shakedown, testing is anticipated to proceed in Bahrain, the place two three-day classes are deliberate, provisionally for the 12-14 February after which for the 18-20 February.
Lately, the Sakhir circuit has grow to be the venue for pre-season testing, with classes historically held on the finish of February.
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e mail updates on these subjects
Subscribe to information alerts
