Apart from a number of brief filming runs, day one among Barcelona’s five-day shakedown was the primary actual alternative for Components 1 drivers to place the brand-new 2026 era of vehicles to the check.
Seven of the 11 groups made it out on day one, with Williams pressured to skip the week fully and Aston Martin scrambling to make it out for at the very least two of the three days allowed per group.
No dependable lap occasions have been out there from the behind-closed-doors check – they usually would not have been in any respect related even when that they had been – however Purple Bull’s Isack Hadjar was unofficially quickest from Mercedes’ George Russell, whereas Esteban Ocon was the best driver logging greater than two grands prix distances. The wholesome quantity of working completed on day one suggests groups needn’t have been as apprehensive about permitting public scrutiny as they have been.
Two components which are of worth at this early stage are taking a look at those that made a troubled begin – significantly by not being on the bottom in any respect just like the aforementioned groups – and by listening to the primary impressions of those that did, with the novel shift of aerodynamic laws and an even bigger reliance on electrical energy set to overtake the best way the brand new period of vehicles must be pushed, and raced.
Learn into it what you’ll, however by far essentially the most glowing overview was reserved for the Mercedes W17 pushed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“It nonetheless will take a little bit of time to attempt all of the modes – overtake, override, all that form of stuff – it is completely different,” Antonelli mentioned after taking over the complete day for Mercedes. “However the automobile is sweet, it is very good to drive and clearly, on the facility unit facet, it is a bit completely different in comparison with what we had final yr – it requires a bit extra administration nevertheless it’s all doable.
Antonelli additionally praised the driveability of the brand new Mercedes energy unit, which “was a giant query mark however appears to be good to date.”
Esteban Ocon, Haas
Picture by: Components 1
Staff-mate Russell, who took over the W17 for the afternoon session, additionally felt his new equipment was enjoyable to drive. “They’re fairly completely different for us as drivers however, when you get your head round it, driving them is sort of intuitive.
“It is pleasing being behind-the-wheel and I believe there’s rather a lot for followers to look ahead to with these new laws.”
Esteban Ocon, whose Haas group labored via a variety of early gremlins, nonetheless felt the driving force workload within the cockpit was “very difficult” with the squad’s Ferrari energy unit.
“It is very completely different, very difficult,” he mentioned. “I used to be fortunate to have the ability to do a number of simulator days earlier than we began the yr, so we’re fairly properly set on that.
“All the pieces is obvious however sure, it is very difficult for all of us. However I hope that this would be the similar for everybody.”
Gabriel Bortoleto, who made his debut within the first-ever Audi F1 automobile – powered by the group’s first F1 engine, felt his 2026 automobile was “very completely different however not one other world”. The Brazilian, a rookie in F1 final yr, has had a lot much less expertise with the earlier period of vehicles and has been used to altering vehicles each single season since his fast ascent up the single-seater ladder.
“They’re very completely different. They really feel slightly completely different,” Bortoleto mentioned after his Audi group curtailed his day early attributable to technical bother on the R26. “I do not know learn how to categorical this as a result of I did not actually drive any comparable automobile up to now. I’d say the Components 2 automobile, it is a lot slower than the previous laws of F1. And I really feel these ones are going to be slower as properly.
“But it surely’s very cool to have the facility unit being 50% electrical now. You will exit of the nook, and you’ve got a lot velocity being deployed after which you possibly can see how robust it’s. And this stuff are completely different and it’s essential get used to it and adapt your approach of driving the automobile as properly.
“But it surely’s nonetheless a racing automobile and it is not one other world. It is only a new regulation change that could be very completely different.”
Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, who was one among three drivers to briefly cease on monitor out of precaution because the group restricted him to 60 laps, largely echoed Bortoleto’s feedback. “They’re very completely different, however on the finish of the day it nonetheless is a race automobile, and it’s essential drive it shortly inside the grip that’s out there and that is very comparable.
“On the finish of the day, the method is altering slightly bit, the power administration, the tyres are a lot thinner, smaller and, in fact, we have to adapt our driving as properly.”
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Picture by: Components 1
Racing Bulls man Liam Lawson admitted “I undoubtedly have not obtained my head round it absolutely but” as he adapts to racing with Purple Bull’s first-ever in-house energy unit, which was in-built collaboration with Ford. “It is one thing that we’ll continue learning over the subsequent few days and weeks once we go to Bahrain as properly. But it surely’s very, very completely different,” the New Zealander mentioned.
“It seems like there’s much more we are able to do as drivers doubtlessly to make a distinction, which is sweet. However proper now, it is very early days. So it is very exhausting to know the place we’re. However for now, simply attempting to discover ways to optimise the automobile. I am having fun with it to date.
“The primary factor is reliability in the mean time. We have completed an excellent variety of laps at the moment, just a few little issues. And actually, the one points we actually had at the moment have been security precautions, probably not any precise points. Up to now, actually, on the facility unit facet, it has been very, superb. However once more, it is exhausting to know in comparison with all people else the place we’re at.”
Barcelona’s F1 shakedown continues on Tuesday, which has the very best chance of rain. Circumstances allowing, world champions McLaren and Ferrari are set to affix the pre-season with their new equipment in Montmelo.
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