Ferrari and Mercedes Lead the Way in Barcelona Shakedown

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time for Ferrari, while Mercedes completed the most laps as ten teams concluded a five-day shakedown of their new 2026 cars in Barcelona. The private test, focused on reliability and initial performance checks, offered the first unofficial glimpse into the new competitive order ahead of the official pre-season test.

Why it matters:

The Barcelona shakedown serves as the first real-world benchmark for the radically new 2026 machinery. While times are unofficial and teams run different programs, the early pecking order and reliability data provide crucial initial indicators of which teams have started the new regulatory era on the right foot, setting narratives before the season even begins.

The details:

• Performance Benchmark: Lewis Hamilton, in his first official outing for Ferrari, set the fastest lap of the test with a 1:16.348, just a tenth ahead of Mercedes' George Russell.
• Mileage Kings: Mercedes demonstrated formidable reliability, racking up a test-high 500 laps. Ferrari followed with 442 laps, indicating both front-running teams gathered substantial data.
• Mixed Fortunes Elsewhere:
  • McLaren's Lando Norris was third fastest, slotting between the two leading teams.
  • Red Bull, with Max Verstappen at the wheel, appeared focused on mileage and systems checks, logging 303 laps but setting a time over a second off the pace.
  • Aston Martin had a severely limited run, completing only 54 laps after a delayed start to its testing program.
• Engine Data: Mercedes-powered cars (Mercedes, McLaren, Aston Martin, Williams) collectively completed 1,136 laps, leading the engine mileage count ahead of Ferrari (992 laps).

What's next:

All eyes now turn to the official pre-season test, where programs and fuel loads become more comparable. The shakedown has established Ferrari and Mercedes as the early teams to beat, but the true picture will only emerge when competitive running begins in Bahrain. The limited running for teams like Aston Martin and Red Bull's conservative start add intrigue to the final pre-season preparations.