In the initial F1 shakedown at Barcelona, Lewis Hamilton set the pace for Ferrari, clocking the fastest lap. The closed-door test saw teams focusing on reliability ahead of the 2026 season, with new regulations coming into play. McLaren and Red Bull also had productive runs, accumulating valuable data during the testing period.

This early testing is vital for teams to understand their new cars. With significant regulation changes, teams are prioritizing data collection. Ferrari's strong performance, alongside McLaren and Red Bull's mileage, provides an early indication of competitiveness. The focus is on preparing for the official pre-season tests in Bahrain.

Teams are now preparing for the Bahrain pre-season tests. These tests, scheduled for February 11-13 and 18-20, will offer more public access and live timing. The Australian Grand Prix, starting March 6-8, will be the first race. These tests will be critical to understand how the new cars perform.