The first session of the 2026 Formula 1 tests has officially begun in Barcelona. A total of seven teams are expected to run on track during this opening day of testing.
Mercedes – with Andrea Kimi Antonelli at the wheel – Alpine (with Franco Colapinto), Racing Bulls and Audi have already completed their first laps at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Mercedes power unit, which equips both Mercedes and Alpine, already appears to be at a good stage of running-in after the two filming days carried out by the two teams at Silverstone.
According to reports from soymotor.com, Kimi Antonelli is currently the only driver to have set an official lap time, stopping the clocks at 1’31”772. Audi, Alpine and Racing Bulls have instead focused on simple installation laps, prioritising system checks and initial data collection.
There is growing anticipation for the debut of the Red Bull RB22, while Cadillac and Haas are also expected to begin their testing programme today. This will allow both teams to start gathering valuable data, particularly for the Ferrari-powered outfits.
Williams is absent on this first day, while McLaren – which has unveiled a black livery specifically for testing – and Ferrari will begin their on-track work tomorrow. Aston Martin, meanwhile, is still assembling the AMR26 after successfully passing the mandatory crash tests and is expected to hit the track from Thursday onwards, as reported by motorsport.it and AutoRacer.it, for the final two available days of testing.
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