Barcelona, F1 and Season Kicks
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What did we learn on the first day of pre-season testing for Formula 1 2026?
The F1 teams are testing their 2026 cars at the Barcelona track this week. But why is the action not open to the public?
Ten new cars, five days, no fans. And plenty of security. Formula 1 started a new era with the public and the media excluded from the teams' reliability-focused private testing session in Spain on Monday.
We are discovering issues, problems we need to solve, every lap, every run,” team boss Ayao Komatsu admits, but “at least we are running”
Williams will not participate in the opening test of the 2026 F1 season in Spain next week after hitting delays with its new car.
Two of Mercedes' rivals caught George Russell's attention on the first day of F1 2026 testing. George Russell was impressed by Red Bull and Haas on the opening day of F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona.
Formula One has been criticised for its heavy-handed security on day one of pre-season testing in Barcelona, with fans labelling the decision to hold the first test in such secrecy a “bad look” for the sport.
Audi's first day of testing in Formula 1 was hit by issues.
George Russell has finished his first day of running in Barcelona, and has left the track encouraged by his Mercedes machinery.
Widespread claims that Formula 1 is paranoid about a potential PR disaster are wide of the mark – but, as usual, the stakeholders are following several different agendas