McLaren has opted out of the opening day of Formula 1’s behind‑closed‑doors test in Barcelona, prioritising extra work on its new title‑defender, the MCL40. By skipping the first session, the team gains valuable time to refine aerodynamics and power‑train settings before the official race week begins, ahead of the championship season.

While McLaren rests, rivals such as Audi, Cadillac, Racing Bulls, and Alpine have already pushed their 2026 cars through private shakedowns, gathering early data to inform the week‑long Barcelona run. These sessions help teams calibrate tyre behaviour, cooling loads, and aerodynamic balance before the official sessions for the upcoming season.

McLaren’s decision signals a focus on long‑term performance over short‑term data, hoping the extra work will translate into better race pace and reliability. Fans will watch the MCL40’s first official lap times, while analysts will compare its development curve against rivals who already have track data from the shakedown sessions.