Ferrari to Skip First Day of Barcelona Pre-Season Testing

Ferrari has confirmed it will not run on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, following a similar strategy to McLaren. After a successful shakedown at Fiorano, the Scuderia plans to focus on reliability and baseline data when it hits the track on Tuesday.

Why it matters:

With new regulations for 2026, establishing a reliable baseline is more critical than early headline lap times. Ferrari's decision to delay their track debut suggests a strategic focus on long-term development and data collection over immediate performance validation.

The details:

• Ferrari launched the SF-26 on Friday at Fiorano, completing a filming day with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
• The team will utilize its permitted three days of testing, likely running on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
• Strategic Approach: Team Principal Fred Vasseur emphasized that the priority is mileage and reliability rather than outright pace.
• Development Path: Chassis Technical Director Loic Serra noted the car is currently in a basic "A-spec" configuration. The design allows for significant evolution throughout the season, avoiding a cornered design philosophy.
• The Barcelona test will serve purely for information gathering before development ramps up for the Bahrain race.

What's next:

Ferrari will join the track on Tuesday for the first official day of running. The team aims to maximize data acquisition to inform the development cycle leading up to the season opener.