The first private test of the new 2026 Formula 1 cars in Barcelona has now been completed. We now have two public versions in quick succession in Bahrain. However, it’s unlikely we will end up much the wiser.
The “secret” Barcelona session was as much about Formula One Management ramping interest in the new season as it was an attempt to hide any possible PU dirty washing. Much like clubs forcing people to queue outside when the venue is actually empty.
Just for good measure, we had some additional team melodrama with one “no show” and one and a half “late arrivals”.
The Germans are coming, again
On the surface, it seems that Mercedes, from a power unit perspective, is leading the pack.
However, we have to factor in the temperatures in Barcelona during the test. It was unseasonably cold with a high of 16 °C. This is far below the conditions the teams can expect at most venues, and we know from previous years, Mercedes likes it on the cooler side.
King George?
George Russell is already talking up his F1 Drivers' World Championship prospects while Toto Wolff is smugly announcing that he doesn’t know what the others can do to close the PU gap.
Still, it’s early days, and we have to wait and see what happens when they turn up the settings. However, both Mercedes and Red Bull currently seem happier among the PU manufacturers.
Vorsprung “duh” Technik
On the other side of the fence, Audi is probably the least content. While Ferrari and Honda have pushed the FIA for regulatory changes to peg back Mercedes, the silver rings have been the most vocal and arguably, defiant.
James Kay, Audi’s Technical Director, has stated the team will never accept an FIA compromise that allows Mercedes and Red Bull to retain their advantage over a full season.
For a company that prides itself on innovative engineering, missing this trick is a bit of a gut punch, especially when delivered by a competitor.
Difficult to digest
The chassis picture is even murkier. The 2026 F1 cars are fundamentally different machines, with much greater reliance on active aerodynamics and significantly altered mass distribution.
Early testing has focused heavily on systems validation rather than performance extraction. Cooling architectures, brake-by-wire integration, and aero switching reliability matter far more at this stage than lap time.
The Aston Martin AMR26, penned by that god of aero Adrian Newey, looks dramatically different to everyone else; an ominous portent for all and sundry based on 2022!
Could anyone stomach a purchased F1 World Championship title for Lance Stroll??!!
See no, hear no, speak no…
If anything, the most interesting signals are coming from what isn’t being said. The lack of public concern from traditionally outspoken teams suggests that no one believes the competitive order is fixed.
Max Verstappen has been his usual indifferent self. Effectively saying he’s not an engine expert and that Bahrain will reveal all.
Unfortunately, Parc Ferme would beg to differ here. The circuit’s smooth surface, traction-heavy layout, and unique thermal profile make it a poor proxy for much of the calendar.
Like Barcelona, it will reward certain design philosophies while masking others. Any conclusions drawn will be provisional at best. If you want to know where the real form is, set up a Paddock “chill-o-meter” to measure nonchalance.
Whichever teams display the most are the ones that have probably got it together. Otherwise, wait for FP3 in Australia.
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