2026 Pre-Season Testing

[Luscion]

[dialtone]

These cars look extremely tricky on entry and exit in the wet. Certainly not setup appropriately but Hadjar’s crash and that Ferrari being so unstable… it’s gonna be a real driving test in the wet this year, exciting enough.

[FrukostScones]

/watch?v=CwM1ACkxJfw

optimal player speed 0.25

[Lasssept]

[gearboxtrouble]

Doesn't look to be major damage to the RB22 and they should be able to fix it in time for Friday at least. These new cars look a real handful in the wet as was expected - the extra torque from the MGU-K, narrower contact patch from the tires and lower levels of downforce at the rear all add up to a much tougher traction proposition than the ground effect monsters. I wonder if some sort of wet weather map for deployment is allowed so that the MGU-K is used less aggressively in both acceleration as well as brake harvesting.

[gromajor]

In terms of manpower, no doubt they can fix it.
But in terms of parts, it's not sure they have spares so early in the season.

[CHT]

In terms of manpower, no doubt they can fix it.
But in terms of parts, it's not sure they have spares so early in the season.

Big budget teams should have spares to build an identical car back at factory.
Cant possibly leave it to chance to disrupt testing program.

[gearboxtrouble]

Very much doubt they have zero spares given these sorts of incidents aren't that uncommon in testing. Even if it's a newer spec the focus is on continuing to test the mechanical package and drivetrain so they can compromise on a different aero spec if they need.

[Lasssept]

McLaren

[bigblue]

Testing despite the fact they haven't finished side-pod construction So, these are different this year, particularly McLaren and Red Bull.

[kHz33]

In terms of manpower, no doubt they can fix it.
But in terms of parts, it's not sure they have spares so early in the season.

Big budget teams should have spares to build an identical car back at factory.
Cant possibly leave it to chance to disrupt testing program.

"Big budget teams" have you missed the part where every team is operating under a cost cap, each spending the maximum allowed amount of money?

[FrukostScones]

12:15 - George Russell has already completed 72 laps this morning!! He's the driver who's done the most laps by a significant margin. Colapinto has completed 41 laps, Lindblad 31, Bearman 16, Norris 10, and Hülkenberg 5. Colapinto set the fastest time: 1:19.150.

12:09 - Lots of activity on track now at the Circuit. Mercedes, McLaren Alpine, and Racing Bulls are all out on track: Alpine and Racing Bulls on soft tires; McLaren on mediums; and Mercedes on hards. So far, neither Haas nor Audi have returned to the track.

sauce: https://soymotor.com/f1/noticias/direct ... -barcelona

[Badger]

Seems like Merc has started to do some performance running after their long runs. 92 laps today, and new fastest time of the test.

[Emag]

Seems like Merc has started to do some performance running after their long runs.

A 17.5 still seems awfully slow so I am not taking much from that. However, 92 laps in the morning session alone is quite impressive.

[Badger]

MORNING SESSION SUMMARY

Mercedes spooks: 92 laps and the best time of the preseason (1:17.5)

Problems for Audi and Haas, Hülkenberg and Bearman have been stopped on track, the Haas has managed to get back out, but no news from the Audi

33 laps for McLaren in its debut

Alpine and Racing Bulls, without any hitches: 56 laps for Colapinto, 61 for Lindblad

https://x.com/SoyMotor/status/2016485025051476159