Ferrari edges Mercedes in top speed as Esteban Ocon hits 350 km/h in Barcelona testing. Ferrari outpaced Mercedes in top speed during the Barcelona F1 tests.

F1 | Ferrari beats Mercedes: record shattered in Barcelona thanks to Ocon

Esteban Ocon has revealed that he reached an astonishing top speed on the main straight in Barcelona. Although the Formula 1 Barcelona tests ended several days ago, they continue to generate headlines due to the incredible maximum speeds recorded on the Catalan circuit’s long straight.

After Pierre Gasly stated that his Mercedes-powered Alpine reached 345 km/h, Esteban Ocon has now admitted that he managed to go even faster, setting a new benchmark during the test.

Speaking to L’Équipe, the French driver explained that his Haas reached an impressive 350 km/h at the end of the Barcelona straight. A remarkable figure that once again highlights how these new-generation power units, combined with the updated battery systems, are capable of delivering enormous energy deployment on the straights.

On this particular front, Ferrari therefore managed to outperform Mercedes by as much as 5 km/h, underlining the impressive straight-line performance of the Maranello-built power unit.

Ocon’s concern

Esteban Ocon also described just how extraordinary it feels to reach such high top speeds. “The sensation of speed is crazy; I’ve never experienced anything like it,” he said.

To achieve those figures, however, drivers need to fully deploy the battery, which then has to be recharged during the lap. “Since the battery doesn’t last for the entire lap, you have to manage the throttle and lift off to recharge it before braking,” Esteban Ocon explained.

The Haas driver also shared some concerns about the start of the new regulatory cycle. According to the Frenchman, despite the record-breaking top speeds seen during the Barcelona F1 tests, overtaking could prove difficult. “My first impression is that overtaking will be hard. It’s only my initial feeling, but I hope the situation improves,” he admitted.

That is not the most reassuring initial feedback, as it suggests the FIA could once again face challenges when it comes to promoting overtaking. However, a wide range of technical solutions is still expected to emerge, potentially helping drivers produce more on-track action. After all, the 2026 Formula 1 season has only just begun.

And you? What do you think about Ferrari’s power unit performance and the overall impressions after the Barcelona test? Let us know with a comment at the end of the article or on our social media channels: Facebook Group / Facebook Page / Instagram / X (former Twitter) and TikTok.