Formula 1’s 2026 season is officially underway, and it all started quietly. Before fans could even blink, teams rolled out their brand-new cars for a private test in Barcelona, held behind closed doors. No live coverage, no lap time hype, just pure data gathering.
Now, the spotlight is fully on. Official preseason testing has kicked off in Bahrain, marking the true launch of Formula 1 new era.
This year is a big deal for the sport. The 2026 regulations have completely reshaped Formula 1, with major changes to both the cars and the engines. New power units, different aerodynamics, and a bigger focus on efficiency mean teams are basically starting from scratch. Because of that, nobody really knows who’s fast and who’s struggling heading into the first race in Australia on March 8.
That uncertainty is exactly what makes preseason testing so interesting.
What is Formula 1 testing really about?
Preseason testing isn’t about racing or showboating. Teams use these days to check reliability, understand tyre behaviour, and make sure the car actually works the way it should. Fast lap times grab attention, but the number of laps completed can be just as important.
More laps usually mean the car is reliable, and that’s a massive win this early in the season.
Barcelona Testing: Who Ran The Most Laps
During the initial round of long-term testing, all of the teams were given an opportunity to run their new cars under similar conditions. Although the running occurred out of the public eye, ultimately, Mercedes produced the highest total number of laps at the end of the five-day test, completing 501 laps overall.
Ferrari finished behind Mercedes with 440 laps, and Haas showed strong reliability by finishing third with 391 laps.
Alpine, Red Bull, and McLaren all put in good runs, while Aston Martin struggled through the first phase of the test with only 65 laps completed, indicating potential early problems or a very cautious approach to the test.
Most laps in Barcelona (unofficial):
| Team | Laps |
| Mercedes | 501 |
| Ferrari | 440 |
| Haas | 391 |
| Alpine | 349 |
| Racing Bulls | 318 |
| Red Bull | 305 |
| McLaren | 290 |
| Audi | 243 |
| Cadillac | 164 |
| Aston Martin | 65 |
Bahrain testing: Where Speed Starts To Matter
Things are getting real here in Bahrain. This is not like Barcelona, where the test was not visible except from various points. Teams continue to concentrate on their long runs and accumulating data, but could also begin to see some signs of their true performance capacity.
The overall fastest lap times from Bahrain and Barcelona do not tell the entire story as fuel load, tyre type and test plans all differ significantly, but could give fans their first clues as to which teams might be competitive in 2026.
Some teams are obviously concentrating on lap time, while others are concentrating on mileage and reliability.
Both strategies are important, and the balance between high speed and reliability may determine the outcome of the early-season races.
What’s next in Testing
Formula 1 has three preseason tests scheduled:
- Test 1: Jan. 26-30, Barcelona (private)
- Test 2: Feb. 11-13, Bahrain
- Test 3: Feb. 18-20, Bahrain
Only the final hour of each Bahrain test day is shown on TV, but coverage is still strong. Sky Sports F1 will also broadcast the final test live in the UK.
Also Read: Aston Martin Unveils AMR26 Livery For Formula 1 2026 Season
