F1 Drivers Enthusiastic About New Car Designs

At the conclusion of the first day of pre-season testing in Spain, Formula 1 drivers expressed a cautiously optimistic view regarding this season’s newly designed cars. Mercedes driver George Russell remarked, “The cars appear quite striking on the track, which is a positive sign for our sport.”

He continued, “They present quite a change for us as drivers, but once you familiarize yourself, operating them becomes fairly intuitive. It’s a thrill to be behind the wheel, and fans have much to anticipate with these fresh regulations.”

Russell’s teammate, Kimi Antonelli, described his experience as “very enjoyable to drive,” while Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson stated that “there is significantly more we can do as drivers to influence performance.” Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto commented that the new engines felt “very impressive.” These reflections came during pool interviews organized by F1’s rights holders and the FIA, as well as through team statements.

The testing took place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, but independent media were barred from access. The attempt to maintain secrecy was so strict that several journalists attempting to view the new cars from outside the circuit were reportedly escorted away by security personnel, despite being on public property.

This private test format was implemented due to the reliability issues several teams faced during the last major engine regulation changes in 2014. All cars this year are newly designed, incorporating modifications to the regulations surrounding chassis, engines, tires, and the requirement for carbon-neutral sustainable fuel.

The engines represent the most significant transformation, with 50% of the power now generated by the electric components of hybrid engines. Energy management is anticipated to play a crucial role in the sport as it approaches 2026.

On the first day of testing, seven out of the eleven teams were in action, including Red Bull, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Haas, Alpine, and the newly established Audi and Cadillac teams. Last week, McLaren announced they would delay their car’s track debut until after the first day to maximize design efficiency. Ferrari also decided not to participate in Monday’s session following an initial factory test the previous week.

Aston Martin indicated their new car would not be ready until Thursday, and Williams missed the test entirely due to setbacks in their design and production timeline. No lap times were released, and every team encountered some technical issues as they began to explore the capabilities of their new vehicles.

Rival teams noted the impressive number of laps completed by both Red Bull teams, especially considering it marked the first full day of operation with their newly developed in-house engine, created in collaboration with their new partner, Ford. Prior to the test, both McLaren and Red Bull unveiled images of their 2026 cars for the first time.

McLaren, who secured both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships last year for the first time since 1998, showcased their car in a special testing livery for the week. Red Bull presented studio images of their vehicle, strategically chosen to obscure essential design elements.

Russell added, “We were satisfied with our performance today, but I also noticed several other teams performing well. The Red Bull power unit has achieved a substantial number of laps, which indicates they’ve done a commendable job with their first engine build.”

He also noted that Haas managed a comparable amount of running time, suggesting that the Ferrari power unit has also demonstrated considerable reliability. “It’s a different landscape compared to 2014! The sport has advanced significantly since then, and the standards across all facets are remarkably high now.”

As Audi steps into Formula 1 by taking over the Sauber team, they faced a reliability problem that prevented Bortoleto from taking the wheel in the afternoon session. Team principal Jonathan Wheatley explained, “We encountered a technical issue, identified it, and opted to turn off the car. We have plenty of testing ahead and aim to thoroughly understand the issues while assessing the weather conditions to decide on our participation tomorrow.”

With rain predicted for the second day of testing, teams are permitted to utilize a maximum of three of the available days. Bortoleto expressed, “The cars are quite different. I believe they may be slower, but it’s exciting to have the power unit composed of 50% electric energy. Exiting corners, you can deploy so much speed, showcasing the engine’s strength. Adapting is essential, but it’s still a racing car at heart.”

Lawson from Racing Bulls commented, “[The car is] quite different to operate, and I haven’t fully grasped it yet. We will continue to learn. It seems like there’s a lot more we can do as drivers to influence performance, but at this stage, it’s still very early, making it challenging to assess our standing compared to others. The power unit feels solid, yet it’s difficult to determine the overall picture. The key focus right now is reliability. Today we completed a good number of laps, with the only interruptions being precautionary measures rather than significant issues. However, it’s hard to gauge where we stand against the competition.”