A Formula 1 test scheduled for January, during the winter months, conducted behind closed doors without any media or fans present? Even by F1’s occasionally unconventional standards, this seems somewhat unusual.
However, as cars gradually take to the track in Barcelona this week, the sport is embarking on its initial significant steps towards a dramatically different future.
The inaugural test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya — officially termed a “shakedown” by F1 — is set to occur from Monday, January 26 to Friday, January 30.
Before the on-track activities commence, ESPN provides all the essential information you need.
An F1 test in January? What’s the reason?
In essence, this is due to a comprehensive revision of the power unit, chassis, and aerodynamic regulations for 2026. Such a substantial alteration, particularly concerning the engine, necessitates additional testing for teams to familiarize themselves with the operation of the new cars prior to the first race.
A similar situation occurred during the last significant power unit overhaul in 2014. Those with long memories may recall that Red Bull, the team that ultimately finished second in the constructors’ championship that year, managed only 21 laps at Jerez during the initial four-day test!
While we do not anticipate such difficulties for the leading teams, there are two entirely new engine suppliers in Audi and Red Bull Powertrains, along with a new team in Cadillac, all of which will benefit from the additional track time ahead of the first race.
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Scuderia Ferrari HP unveils their new livery for the 2026 Formula One season.
Why is it being held behind closed doors?
F1 refers to the initial test as a “shakedown,” a term in motorsport that denotes a brief private test where a team conducts basic checks on its car before its first official test.
Internally, however, most teams are designating the upcoming week in Barcelona as “Test 01,” and all 11 teams have the chance to test for three days within a five-day timeframe (January 26-30), effectively making this the first test of the season.
Conducting it behind closed doors will help conceal any struggles faced by teams, but given F1’s nature, it won’t be long before information regarding low lap counts or repeated stoppages surfaces.
Sources have informed ESPN that the primary reason for labeling it a shakedown and minimizing the fanfare is due to F1’s contractual obligation with Bahrain to host the first official test in February. Increased excitement surrounding Spain could detract from Bahrain’s prominence when the first of two tests commences on the island Kingdom two weeks later.
A clear benefit of holding the first test in Spain, rather than Bahrain or a more distant location, is its proximity to the teams’ factories, allowing them to finalize production deadlines and facilitating quick fixes at the track if needed.
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What are the specific rule changes and what prompted them?
The core of the regulation modifications is the aim to develop a hybrid power unit that generates 50% of its power from the battery and 50% from an internal combustion engine powered by advanced sustainable fuels.
This 50/50 objective has attracted Audi to F1 for the first time and has also encouraged Honda to reconsider its decision to exit the sport in 2021.
However, such an ambitious goal introduces several complexities. To meet this high target, there will be a greater focus on efficiency than ever before, prompting the FIA to reevaluate both the aerodynamic regulations and the power unit rules.
Cars will now feature active aerodynamics on both the front and rear wings (similar to last year’s DRS at both ends of the vehicle) to reduce energy-draining drag on the straights when the wings are open and maintain downforce in corners when the wings are closed.
The vehicles will also be smaller (10cm narrower and with a wheelbase 20cm shorter) and lighter (by 30kg) to enhance efficiency and agility in wheel-to-wheel competition. While this is advantageous in theory, the larger battery packs and increased MGU-Ks of the hybrid systems result in an overall power unit weight increase of 34kg, presenting a significant packaging challenge to meet the new minimum weight while also adhering to stricter crash tests.
The aforementioned points only touch on the broader changes to the cars for 2026, but fundamentally we are looking at smaller vehicles with three times the electric power. This suggests a completely new formula that is anticipated to introduce a novel approach to racing.
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Have all the teams unveiled their new cars?
Not yet. Some teams have presented the actual cars (Ferrari at its Fiorano launch, Mercedes from its Silverstone shakedown), others have displayed renderings of their vehicles (like Haas), and some have merely showcased showcars adorned with their new liveries (such as Red Bull and Audi).
We had very limited views of the real Audi and Cadillac when those two teams conducted private filming days a couple of weeks ago, and a few photos and videos surfaced from the public when the new Racing Bulls completed two days of track running at Imola this week.
To add to the variety in how teams approach this preseason, those that have not yet launched their cars are planning to participate in the Barcelona test with interim liveries, while those that have are expected to utilize their complete race liveries.
What can teams realistically gain from the test?
The primary objective for each team will be to achieve reliable on-track performance while collecting as much data as possible regarding the car and its new power unit. Much of the discussion surrounding these new regulations will focus on energy management as teams determine the optimal way to utilize the increased electrical power throughout the lap and, more crucially, how to recover that energy during braking and in corners.
The expectation is that the new cars will necessitate a different driving style, making it essential for drivers to have time to adjust. If all goes well, teams may have the opportunity to investigate the performance and setup of their cars, but the majority of that work will likely take place during the subsequent two tests in Bahrain.
Which teams and drivers are participating? Will we hear from them?
All 11 teams had the chance to attend, but it has now been confirmed that Williams will miss the test due to delays with its new car. The remaining 10 teams are anticipated to be present, and all drivers will be eager to maximize their track time ahead of the first race.
There will likely be varying strategies regarding which of the five days teams utilize for testing, particularly if some are facing tight deadlines or have encountered setbacks in the construction process. For instance, McLaren plans to skip the first day of the test and possibly the second day after delaying production as long as possible over the winter.
According to the current weather forecast, Tuesday (day two) is expected to be wet, so teams will likely aim to take to the track when conditions are dry for the most productive running. F1’s cameras will be present to capture some of the action and conduct brief interviews, with UK broadcaster Sky Sports intending to produce highlight packages at the conclusion of each day.
What information will remain unknown due to the test being private?
In a typical test, journalists have full access to timing screens and relative freedom to navigate the paddock to engage with drivers and team personnel. The competitive landscape is gradually assembled from lap times and driver feedback, and if any team encounters difficulties, there is little opportunity to conceal it.
This level of access and depth of data will not be available next week, resulting in a less clear picture likely emerging from the five days. However, the presence of teams observing each other, marshals working trackside, and fans with camera phones peering over fences means that a considerable amount of information is likely to leak out.
Nonetheless, there is a risk of misinformation arising from the test, making it increasingly important to verify information through reliable sources.
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Who is anticipated to start fastest? Should we take it seriously?
That is the million-dollar question. Mercedes has been regarded as the most favorable power unit manufacturer heading into the season — a narrative that has intensified in recent weeks amid reports of it unlocking additional horsepower through a different interpretation of the rules concerning the engine’s compression ratio.
However, the reality is that no one can say for certain, and even if Mercedes is at the forefront, the actual gap may not be evident from the limited information that surfaces from Barcelona next week.
It is generally easier to identify the teams that are struggling during testing, and any significant issues for a specific team or engine manufacturer are likely to become known.
There will also be varying testing strategies, with McLaren already stating that its car will remain largely unchanged between the Barcelona test and the first race, while Ferrari intends to begin with a more basic specification for reliability before introducing substantial upgrades ahead of the first race.
What follows this test?
The teams will return to their factories to analyze the data collected from the first test and prepare for two additional three-day tests in Bahrain in February.
There are also launch events scheduled for Mercedes, Williams, Aston Martin, and McLaren, as they unveil their race liveries for the upcoming season. The first race of 2026 will then commence in Australia on March 8.
Source: espn.com
