Formula 1’s 2026 pre-season testing begins in Barcelona
Formula 1’s 2026 pre-season testing kicked off in Barcelona on Monday, with McLaren and Red Bull both revealing their new challengers for the upcoming campaign, reports BritPanorama.
The reigning champions, who secured both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles last season for the first time in over two decades, presented their MCL40 wearing an all-black temporary livery exclusively for this week’s running.
McLaren plan to showcase their official race colours at a dedicated launch event scheduled for February 9. Meanwhile, Red Bull released carefully composed studio images of the RB22, specifically framing angles to obscure significant design elements from rival teams.
The RB22 marks a pivotal transition for the Milton Keynes outfit, as it features a power unit developed entirely in-house in collaboration with American automotive giant Ford, thus ending their reliance on external suppliers. Unlike some competitors, Red Bull opted not to conduct any shakedown running before the Barcelona test, meaning the RB22 will make its track debut during this week’s sessions.
Max Verstappen will embark on his 11th campaign with the energy drink-backed team this year, aiming for his fifth world championship. The Dutch driver will have a new partner following the departure of his previous teammate; Isack Hadjar has earned a promotion to the senior Red Bull team after an impressive debut season in Formula 1 last year. His performances in 2025 convinced team management to elevate him alongside Verstappen for a new regulatory era.
Last year’s RB21 showed considerable improvement in the latter half of the season, mounting significant pressure on McLaren’s championship bid. Verstappen, a four-time world champion, fell just three points short of the British driver, a near-comeback that many have hailed as one of the greatest in F1 history.
This closed-door Barcelona test spans five days at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with each team permitted to participate on just three of those days. McLaren confirmed they would skip Monday’s opening session and potentially Tuesday as well, prioritising development time over early track running. Williams will be absent from Barcelona, having encountered construction delays preventing their car from being ready in time for the test.
As the teams gear up for the new season ahead of the opener in Melbourne on March 8, the unfolding dynamics provide a glimpse into the competitive landscape of this year’s championship — a reminder that innovation is as crucial as the pilot behind the wheel.
