Discover the Highlights of Day 1 at the Barcelona Shakedown: Key Moments You Can’t Miss!

Day 1 of the Barcelona Shakedown is wrapped up, marking the thrilling debut of the 2026 F1 cars. Teams and drivers took to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and here’s what went down.

Who Hit the Track?

Kimi Antonelli was the first driver for Mercedes, logging plenty of laps in the morning. His teammate, George Russell, joined later in the day. Gabriel Bortoleto also got an early start with Audi, enjoying sunny conditions as he shared the track with Liam Lawson from Racing Bulls and Valtteri Bottas from Cadillac.

Bottas handed the car over to Sergio Perez after lunch, while Lawson stayed behind the wheel all day. Franco Colapinto drove for Alpine, making the most of the sessions. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar had a productive day with extensive testing in the RB22, as did Esteban Ocon with Haas, who joined the sessions later but quickly caught up.

Who’s Still Waiting?

McLaren and Ferrari opted not to run on the first day, preferring to kick off their testing on Tuesday, while Aston Martin will hit the track on Thursday and Friday. Williams has decided not to participate at all.

Drivers’ Thoughts

Bottas expressed joy at being back on the track after a year as a reserve, saying, “It’s great to be back. We’re still figuring things out, but the running is good for us.” Ocon praised his team’s efforts, noting the hustle to get the car ready. He felt optimistic about their progress.

Antonelli described the day as “very interesting,” highlighting the learning involved in tuning the car. Bortoleto had a mixed day, running into some issues that limited his laps but remained positive about the new car and regulations.

Colapinto shared that he appreciated the chance to test early in the season, saying it’s crucial for building confidence. Hadjar noted their smooth operations and unexpected mileage, which augurs well for the season ahead.

Lawson wrapped up the day by reflecting on the new cars and power units, highlighting the adjustments drivers need to make.

What’s Next?

Day 2 of the Shakedown will see McLaren and Ferrari finally take to the track. Teams can choose any three days in this five-day window, making for an exciting week ahead.

There’s a buzz around the paddock as teams and drivers prepare for the official start of the season. This early testing is vital for iron out any kinks before racing begins.

For more details, check out F1.com.

Source link