The Formula 1 collective shakedown in Barcelona came to a close on Friday, and on Saturday, the repercussions dominated the news, with drivers and team principals evaluating what was learned from the first kilometers of the 2026 cars. The general focus shifted from the clock to reliability, data correlation, and understanding the new technical concepts.
Lando Norris spoke about the significance of driving with the number 1 on the car after the title, describing the moment as special in his career. The Briton highlighted that the priority in Barcelona was to adapt to the new car and understand the behavior of the package under the new regulations, rather than seeking lap times.
At Mercedes, Andrew Shovlin stated that the team was able to fulfill its plans for Barcelona. According to him, the program was executed practically without hiccups, allowing the team to collect important data. Now, attention turns fully to Bahrain, where the work will be more focused on performance.
Aston Martin was also in the spotlight. Fernando Alonso debuted the AMR26 and stated that, despite initial delays in programming, the team managed to complete the work plan. The Spaniard emphasized that, at this stage, accumulating mileage and validating systems is more relevant than any direct comparison of performance.
Racing Bulls publicly praised the new power unit from Red Bull Powertrains in partnership with Ford. The team highlighted positive signs of performance and reliability, something considered crucial at the beginning of this technical cycle. Max Verstappen, in turn, stressed that these tests are fundamental to understanding the new engine and identifying areas for evolution.
Another topic of the day was the cautious speech of several teams regarding the reading of lap times. The message is practically unanimous: Barcelona served as a first contact, but does not define the hierarchy of the season. Different programs, fuel loads, and engine maps make any comparison premature.
With that, the paddock now turns its attention to the official tests in Bahrain. There, with more days on the track and different conditions, teams expect to begin to get a clearer picture of the scenario for the start of the 2026 season.
