Formula 1 News: Barcelona Test Week Cummulative Test times

The 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Barcelona provided a tantalizing glimpse into the pecking order under the new regulations, with Ferrari and Mercedes emerging as early pacesetters amid a mix of weather disruptions, reliability runs, and late qualifying simulations.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Over the five days, Lewis Hamilton’s (pictured) blistering Day 5 lap in the Ferrari SF-26 stood as the quickest of the week, underscoring the team’s rapid progress and Hamilton’s seamless adaptation. Mercedes, however, wasn’t far behind, with George Russell’s Thursday benchmark just 0.097 seconds adrift, highlighting their power unit strength and aero efficiency.

McLaren impressed with consistent top-five showings, particularly from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, suggesting a balanced chassis ready to challenge the front-runners. Red Bull focused on mileage, with Max Verstappen’s solid Friday effort and Isack Hadjar’s Day 1 flyer, but they lagged slightly in outright pace—perhaps sandbagging or prioritizing long-run data. Alpine and Haas showed midfield promise, while newcomers Audi and Cadillac grappled with setup issues, and Aston Martin had a quiet week marred by limited running.

Surprises included the wet-weather Day 2, which limited action but tested adaptability, and Racing Bulls’ strong data-gathering efforts. Overall, the test revealed a tight field at the top, with Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren separated by fractions, while the backmarkers have work to do. As teams analyze the data, the stage is set for an unpredictable season opener.

Combined Fastest Times from 2026 F1 Pre-Season Testing in Barcelona

Day 1 Report
Day 2 Report
Day 3 Report
Day 4 Report
Day 5 Report