From Monday, the first 2026 F1 tests will begin at the Barcelona circuit, with different teams participating on different days. Here is a guide to which teams will be on track and when.
The wait is almost over: from Monday, 26 January, the 2026 Formula 1 season officially kicks off with the start of pre-season testing in Barcelona. These tests are unusual, as they will not have any television coverage and are spread across five days (from 26 to 30 January). Each team is allowed to run for only three days, meaning they must choose carefully among the five available dates. Today, 27 January, will mark Ferrari’s official first day on track for the 2026 season during the Barcelona tests.
Full schedule
Based on various rumours and confirmations in the days leading up to the tests, it is possible to clarify when the ten teams (excluding Williams) will be on track during the five pre-season testing days in Barcelona. As a reminder, teams have five days available but can only run for three of them. This system was designed to provide greater flexibility and to allow for contingencies, which could include teething issues with new cars or external factors such as weather conditions. Here is the expected schedule for the teams:
- McLaren: not on track Monday 26 or Tuesday 27; will start Wednesday 28 and continue on Thursday 29 and Friday 30
- Red Bull: on track Monday 26 and Tuesday 27, skips Wednesday 28, final day Thursday 29
- Mercedes: on track Monday 26, skips Tuesday 27 due to weather, returns Wednesday 28, final day Thursday 29
- Ferrari: not on track Monday 26; starts Tuesday 27, skips Wednesday 28, continues Thursday 29 and Friday 30
- Williams: will not participate in any of the five days due to a delay in homologating the new chassis, which has not yet passed the mandatory FIA crash tests
- Visa Cash App Racing Bulls: on track Monday 26, skips Tuesday 27 due to weather, returns Wednesday 28, final day to be decided between Thursday 29 and Friday 30
- Aston Martin: not on track Monday 26 or Tuesday 27; official confirmation that they will not run Wednesday 28 either. The team plans to debut only on Thursday 29 (afternoon) and continue Friday 30
- Haas: on track Monday 26, skips Tuesday 27 as scheduled, returns Wednesday 28, skips Thursday 29, final day Friday 30
- Audi: on track Monday 26, skips Tuesday 27 due to weather, returns Wednesday 28, final day to be decided between Thursday 29 and Friday 30
- Alpine: on track Monday 26, skips Tuesday 27 due to weather, returns Wednesday 28, final day to be decided between Thursday 29 and Friday 30
- Cadillac: on track Monday 26, skips Tuesday 27 due to weather, not on track Wednesday 28, continues Thursday 29 and Friday 30
Note: This schedule is not official and is based on a combination of confirmed information (where available) and rumours. We will aim to keep it updated during these five days, so please check the schedule at the start of each day. Any changes will depend on decisions made by the teams as testing progresses. We apologize for any potential errors or discrepancies.
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