All 11 Formula 1 teams got their first chance to run their new 2026 cars and power units during a five‑day Barcelona shakedown ahead of the official season opener in Melbourne. Teams were allowed to choose three days of testing as they adapt to the sport’s major new technical rules and hybrid power units.
Overall, the event was much smoother than expected, with few serious problems despite concerns about the complex new systems. Mercedes and Ferrari stood out for reliable running, while Red Bull showed promise with its first year building its own engines. Aston Martin’s car arrived late, attracting attention for its design but with limited track time.
Individual team shakedown highlights included Mercedes completing a large number of laps with strong reliability, McLaren overcoming early issues to gather solid mileage, and Red Bull dealing with a crash but still collecting useful data. Lap times weren’t considered meaningful yet, as most running was focused on testing systems and reliability rather than pure speed.
Teams will move next to pre‑season testing in Bahrain, where more detailed performance work is expected before the 2026 season begins.