Kimi Antonelli Tops Timesheets Again as 2026 F1 Testing Continues in Barcelona

For the second consecutive day, Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli has unofficially set the fastest lap time during the morning session of 2026 pre-season testing in Barcelona. Lewis Hamilton completed his first laps for Ferrari, while Red Bull Racing remained absent from the track as Max Verstappen awaits his scheduled running day later this week.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's repeated pace at the wheel of the Mercedes W16 reinforces the team's strong early form and bolsters the young Italian's credentials as a potential future star. Hamilton's first official track outing for Ferrari marks a significant symbolic moment in his historic team switch, offering an early glimpse into his integration with the Scuderia. The ongoing test provides crucial early data on the new 2026 chassis and aerodynamic regulations, setting initial performance benchmarks.

The details:

• Unofficial Times: Antonelli's best lap was a 1:17.081, over 1.5 seconds quicker than Hamilton's best effort for Ferrari (1:18.654). Oscar Piastri (McLaren), Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), and Sergio Pérez (Cadillac) completed the morning order.
• Driver Activity: Five teams ran programs, with Piastri returning to action for McLaren and Pérez driving for the Cadillac (formerly Aston Martin) team. Lawson continued his running with Racing Bulls.
• Red Bull's Absence: The reigning constructors' champions did not run, following Isack Hadjar's crash on Tuesday. The team confirmed additional parts are en route from their Milton Keynes factory, with Max Verstappen scheduled for a full day of running on Thursday.

What's next:

Testing continues at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with teams focusing on long-run performance and reliability data. All eyes will be on Red Bull's return to the track with Verstappen to see if they can immediately challenge the early pace shown by Mercedes. The data gathered here will inform critical development paths as teams prepare for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.