Private 2026 F1 Season Testing Kicks Off in Barcelona with Red Bull's Hadjar Setting Pace
The first private test session for the highly anticipated 2026 Formula 1 season commenced on Monday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. This exclusive five-day testing event, which runs until January 30, is strictly closed to both media and public access, allowing teams to focus on their new machinery without external distractions.
Hadjar Makes Immediate Impact in Red Bull Debut
The opening day of testing delivered a standout performance from Red Bull Racing's newest recruit, Isack Hadjar. The French driver, who has been promoted from Racing Bulls to replace Yuki Tsunoda alongside Max Verstappen for the 2026 campaign, demonstrated his capabilities by posting the fastest time during Monday's morning session.
According to reports from Motorsport Week, Hadjar managed to outperform Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli by more than a full second, marking an impressive start to his tenure with the championship-winning team. This performance is particularly notable as Antonelli enters his second year as a full-time F1 driver, bringing valuable experience to the Mercedes cockpit.
Limited Team Participation and Testing Format
The initial Barcelona test features participation from only seven of the ten Formula 1 teams. The-Race.com confirms that Red Bull, Racing Bulls, Mercedes, Alpine, Haas, Audi, and Cadillac are the squads currently present at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The remaining teams are expected to join the testing program in the coming days as preparations intensify.
Monday's running marked the first track appearance for the modified 2026-specification cars, which feature several technical changes in accordance with new regulations. These updated machines are generally narrower, lighter, and more compact than their predecessors, representing a significant evolution in F1 design philosophy.
Day 1 Results and Driver Lineup
The complete results from the first day of private testing in Barcelona revealed a competitive field beyond the top two positions:
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
This lineup showcases a mix of established veterans and promising newcomers, providing an early glimpse into team strategies and driver development programs for the upcoming season.
Upcoming Testing Schedule and Team Reveals
Following the Barcelona private test, Formula 1 teams will move their operations to Bahrain for two additional testing sessions, both of which will be open to media coverage. The first Bahrain test is scheduled for February 11-13, with a second session planned for February 18-20.
In parallel with track activities, teams will begin unveiling their 2026 liveries and car designs through a series of scheduled launches:
- Williams: February 3
- Cadillac: February 8
- Aston Martin and McLaren: February 9
The 2026 Formula 1 season will officially commence with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8, marking the start of what promises to be a transformative year for the sport with new technical regulations and driver lineups.
Teams will continue their development work throughout the Barcelona test, gathering crucial data on the new car specifications while evaluating driver performance under the revised technical framework that will define the 2026 championship battle.
