Mercedes completed 500 laps to lead the mileage charts during the behind-closed-doors Barcelona shakedown for the 2026 Formula 1 season, showcasing strong reliability with its new W17 car. Ferrari impressed with Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest unofficial time of 1:16.348, while Aston Martin's radical Adrian Newey-designed AMR26 made a late but eye-catching debut. The test highlighted variations in active aerodynamics and suspensions across the grid, marking a smooth start to the new regulations era.
The Barcelona shakedown at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya provided the first on-track insights into Formula 1's 2026 cars, with 10 of 11 teams participating over five days, each selecting three for running. Mercedes set the benchmark for reliability, amassing 500 laps across Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli at the wheel. "It's been really impressive from a reliability point of view," said trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin. The team encountered minor gremlins but progressed to race simulations and qualifying-style runs, losing more time to other teams' stoppages than its own issues.
Ferrari followed closely with 444 laps, running in wet conditions on Tuesday before drier sessions on Thursday and Friday. Hamilton's late 1:16.348 topped unofficial times, edging Russell's 1:16.445, while Charles Leclerc posted 1:16.653. "It’s been a really productive and enjoyable week," Hamilton noted, praising the team's winter preparations and the car's oversteery handling, which he found more enjoyable than recent ground-effect machines.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls debuted the new Red Bull Powertrains-Ford unit reliably, totaling 622 laps despite Isack Hadjar's wet crash on Tuesday. Max Verstappen completed 118 laps on Friday, calling it a "good start." McLaren managed 291 laps after a fuel system issue, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri noting the cars' reduced cornering speed but improved straight-line acceleration.
Aston Martin's AMR26, featuring aggressive underbite sidepods and a wide nose, rolled out late Thursday for Lance Stroll's five laps before Alonso's 61 on Friday. The design drew attention for its Newey influence, including high rear wishbone placement. Williams skipped the event due to production delays, opting for simulator work, while Audi (243 laps) and Cadillac (164 laps) faced teething troubles as newcomers.
Technical trends included pushrod front suspensions on most cars, active front wings with varying nose attachments, and diffuser slots on Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull to enhance airflow. Teams emphasized the test's focus on validation over performance, with Bahrain's open sessions set for February 11-13 and 18-20.
