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The Independent UK

Kieran Jackson

F1 2026 testing live: Lewis Hamilton sets fastest time of the week in Barcelona

Barcelona Lewis Hamilton Kieran Jackson Ferrari Christian Horner F1 Lando Norris McLaren Mercedes Red Bull

The 2026 Formula 1 season is upon us and with just six weeks until the first race in Australia, the teams are now preparing for a campaign of unknowns.

New regulations this season mean it is a clean slate for all 11 teams, with Cadillac the first new team on the grid since Haas in 2016. Audi have also taken over Sauber, with Ford partnering with Red Bull to build their own engines.

READ: Are Mercedes 2026 F1 title favourites? Winners and losers from first test in Barcelona

McLaren won both world championships last year, with Lando Norris claiming his first drivers’ title. Yet this season, Mercedes are rumoured to be the frontrunners, though we won’t know anything until we see the cars out on track.

This week’s test behind-closed-doors in Barcelona is the first of three pre-season sessions for the teams, with official tests in Bahrain next month (11-13 February and 18-20 February). However, Williams won’t be present this week due to delays to their car.

Follow live updates from F1 pre-season testing with The Independent.

How Lewis Hamilton is making his mark at Ferrari: ‘This car has a clear direction’

Williams make shock call to miss first F1 2026 test after ‘delays’ in car development

Christian Horner announces ‘exciting’ new venture ahead of 2026 F1 season

F1 PRE-SEASON TESTING - LATEST UPDATES

Lewis Hamilton sets fastest time of first F1 pre-season test
ANALYSIS: Winners and losers from F1 testing
George Russell quickest on Thursday; Aston Martin appear for first time
Lando Norris drove for McLaren on Wednesday; Mercedes were quickest
READ: Can Lewis Hamilton challenge for F1 title?

ANALYSIS: Winners and losers from F1 testing

16:16 , By Kieran Jackson

We had onlookers peering through binoculars on the hills. We had boisterous security guards warding off unwanted intruders. And we had a broadcast blackout, the ultimate paradox in this fly-on-the-wall Formula 1 era.

All in all, it was a peculiar start to the 2026 season this week in Barcelona. It always looked an oddity on the pre-season schedule that this week’s five-day “shakedown” event – essentially referring to the first occasion a team trials its new car – would be held in secret. There was a limit on photographs, videos, interviews and the release of lap times, despite 40 hours of track time in total.

Yet inevitably, information has leaked out. With two more pre-season tests to come in Bahrain next month, ahead of the season-opener in Australia on 8 March, this was not the teams performing at their optimum. Some did well to make the test at all, given Williams’s absence due to car delays.

The likes of Mercedes and Red Bull were out of the blocks quickly, while Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin maximised their development time in joining later in the week. The miles clocked varied up and down the grid but for new teams, like Audi and Cadillac, every lap helped as they gathered crucial data to prepare for the campaign ahead.

But who were the winners and losers from this week’s first pre-season test?

Are Mercedes 2026 F1 title favourites? Winners and losers from first pre-season test

VIDEO: Hamilton says Ferrari's pre-season going better than last year's - so far!

17:59 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari have made a better start to Formula 1 pre-season testing than they did last year as he praised the team for amassing an "amazing" amount of mileage in Barcelona 👏 🔴 pic.twitter.com/eW9rWdYgEy
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) January 30, 2026

ANALYSIS: Can Lewis Hamilton challenge for F1 title? Everything we know about 2026 Ferrari car

17:16 , Kieran Jackson

Heading into his 20th year in the sport, Lewis Hamilton has witnessed his fair share of Formula 1 regulation changes. The most recent, in 2022, saw the Briton’s era of domination at Mercedes end with aplomb. As such, his move to Ferrari last year marked the start of a new chapter. Something fresh, decked in red.

Yet even Hamilton has acknowledged, as pre-season testing gets underway this week in Barcelona, that this year’s regulation shake-up is the biggest he has ever seen. So much so that, for all 11 teams, the sense of the unknown is palpable as they gather data and crunch the numbers ahead of the first race in Australia on 8 March.

Full piece below:

Can Lewis Hamilton challenge for F1 title? Everything we know about 2026 Ferrari car

Lewis Hamilton sets fastest time at end of testing

17:05 , Kieran Jackson

A late statement from the seven-time world champion!

A 1:16:348 from the Ferrari driver puts him top of the timesheet for all five days.

A tenth quicker than George Russell’s time from yesterday.

ICYMI: Nurburgring series moves March race to accommodate F1 star Max Verstappen

16:52 , Kieran Jackson

The 2026 Nurburgring racing series has moved its second round in March to accommodate the potential appearance of Max Verstappen at the event.

Four-time F1 world champion Verstappen obtained his A-licence last September to race the infamous 12.94-mile Nordschleife circuit, known as “The Green Hill.” He then won his first GT3 race a few weeks later.

Verstappen, 28, has admitted he would like to appear at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring event in May, which falls between F1 races in Miami and Montreal. However, the Dutchman acknowledged he needed to take part in one NLS (Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie) endurance race in order to be ready to compete in the 24-hour event.

Now, the series have announced that they’ve moved the second round of the 2026 NLS season by one week, to 21 March, to “enable top-tier drivers to compete.” The previous date, 28 March, clashed with F1’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Full story below:

Nurburgring series moves March race to accommodate Max Verstappen

George Russell, after setting the fastest time on Thursday:

16:33 , Kieran Jackson

“It's been another decent day and overall, a positive shakedown for us here in Barcelona. The car feels nice to drive but more importantly, we've completed plenty of mileage and had no major issues.

“The minor issues we've come across we've been able to resolve which is the purpose of such running. The car is working well but we know that it is not about the car working well, it's about how fast it can go. We don't have any indication of that yet so we will have to wait until Bahrain until we get any indications of the relative pecking order.

“It's very early days but we can be pleased with this initial foundation we have put in place. It's an exciting time for our sport with possibly one of the most impactful regulation changes we've seen.”

Mercedes 2026 F1 at testing in Barcelona (Mercedes F1)

Lando Norris goes fastest

15:55 , Kieran Jackson

After a tough week so far, there is cause for optimism for McLaren!

Lando Norris has just set the fastest time of the day - a 1:16:594 - which is just a tenth off George Russell’s leading time on Thursday.

In the hour or so that remains, can he beat it?

VIDEO: Adrian Newey's Aston Martin car out on track

15:42 , Kieran Jackson

A first look at the Adrian Newey-designed Aston Martin AMR26 on track at Barcelona! 🤩💪#F1 pic.twitter.com/uhmuo3GRET
— Formula 1 (@F1) January 30, 2026

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur on shakedown week

15:32 , Kieran Jackson

“It has been a productive shakedown so far. After a difficult first day in wet conditions, today we were able to run consistently and, most importantly, to accumulate mileage, which was the main objective.

“Reliability and learning are the priorities at this stage, especially with such a significant change in the regulations. We gathered a lot of data and followed our programme as planned, which is an important first step.

“There is still a long way to go before the start of the season, but this is exactly what these days are for: understanding the car, analysing every area in detail and continuing to improve step by step as we head towards Bahrain.”

F1 world champion - current odds

15:16 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell is the current favourite with the bookies:

George Russell - 9/5
Max Verstappen - 7/2
Lando Norris - 13/2
Fernando Alonso - 7/1
Kimi Antonelli - 8/1
Oscar Piastri - 11/1
Charles Leclerc - 13/1
Lewis Hamilton - 19/1
Carlos Sainz - 55/1
Lance Stroll - 66/1
Isack Hadjar - 66/1

Odds provided by Betfair

PHOTOS: Fernando Alonso in the new AMR26

15:01 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso testing in Barcelona (Aston Martin F1)

ANALYSIS: Why Ford are ‘climbing a mountain’ in hope of powering Max Verstappen to F1 glory after 22-year absence

14:46 , Kieran Jackson

By Kieran Jackson

Just 39 days since Lando Norris’s title triumph in Abu Dhabi, the Formula One wagon is slowly cranking back into gear. Yet this time, those changes of gear are clunky and unpredictable. 2026 marks a deep dive into the unknown: new regulations, new teams and, for most of the field, new dreams. Disregard the usual gossip and murmurs. The truth is that nobody really knows what to expect.

And so it was 4,000 miles from UK’s so-called “Motorsport Valley” in the Midlands and Oxfordshire, which hosts six of the now 11 teams, where the love-or-loathe F1 launch season began in piercing sub-zero conditions on Thursday night. The venue was Michigan Central Station in Detroit, with temperatures around -10C, as Red Bull took to the stage alongside one of America’s biggest car manufacturers.

Full piece below:

Why Ford are ‘climbing a mountain’ in hope of powering Max Verstappen to F1 glory

Number of laps per power unit:

14:31 , Kieran Jackson

1. Mercedes 963

2. Ferrari - 815 (-148)

3. Red Bull-Ford - 575 (-388)

4. Audi - 161 (-802)

5. Honda - 54 (-909)

Five drivers on track

14:15 , Kieran Jackson

They took their time after lunch, but we now have five drivers going through their run-plans on track.

Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon are the men out there right now.

Mercedes lead the way

14:01 , Kieran Jackson

Laps completed so far this week:

1. Mercedes - 500

2. Ferrari - 369 (-131)

3. Racing Bulls - 321 (-179)

4. Haas - 303 (-197)

5. Alpine - 261 (-239)

6. Red Bull - 254 (-246)

7. McLaren - 202 (-298)

8. Audi - 161 (-339)

9. Cadillac - 143(-357)

10. Aston Martin - 54 (-446)

What did Lewis Hamilton say after Thursday's running?

13:45 , Kieran Jackson

“It was good to finally get some dry running and work through our programme. Everything is new under these regulations and the cars are very different to what we’ve been used to, with lower downforce, so there’s a lot to learn.

“The most positive aspect so far is the amount of laps we were able to put together, and that’s a real credit to the work done back at the factory.

“We’ve been able to gather valuable data, understand where the car is at, and start building a clear direction. It’s early days, but the process has been productive and we’re focused on continuing to learn, refine and move forward step by step.”

Lewis Hamilton testing the 2026 Ferrari F1 car (Scuderia Ferrari)

ICYMI: Alpine confirm Christian Horner interest

13:30 , Kieran Jackson

Alpine revealed on Sunday that former Red Bull boss Christian Horner is among a group interested in investing in the Formula 1 team.

Horner was sacked as team principal following July’s British Grand Prix before his official exit was agreed in September, leaving the 52-year-old free to return to the sport.

Alpine said it was “no secret” that Otro Capital had held preliminary talks to sell its stake in the team, which finished bottom of the constructors’ championship standings last season.

Full story below:

Christian Horner considers investment in Alpine after Red Bull exit

VIDEO: Martin Brundle on 'feisty' 2026 season to come

13:10 , Kieran Jackson

If Mercedes and McLaren fought for the title... 👀 pic.twitter.com/a1ACXxJKJ8
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) January 29, 2026

Lewis Hamilton in the car!

13:00 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton replaces Leclerc in the SF-26 for this afternoon...

Day 5 morning session - timings

12:42 , Kieran Jackson

Here are the full stats from this morning, with Charles Leclerc setting the fastest time and Ollie Bearman clocking the most laps, at an impressive 105!

Charles Leclerc: 1:16:653 (79 laps)
Oscar Piastri: 1:17:446 (79 laps)
Max Verstappen: 1:18:285 (69 laps)
Ollie Bearman: 1:18:423 (105 laps)
Pierre Gasly: 1:19:754 (78 laps)
Gabriel Bortoleto: 1:20:179 (64 laps)
Fernando Alonso: 1:20:795 (49 laps)
Valtteri Bottas: 1:22:790 (33 laps)

McLaren's technical director of performance, Mark Temple, speaking on Thursday:

12:30 , Kieran Jackson

“So, obviously there’s positives to take away. We’ve gone out, we’ve got a good understanding of where the car is from a baseline point of view, but obviously we’ve had some issues.

“We’ve not been able to do all the running that we would like. We discovered a fuel system problem. And the car’s very complex, so we decided to bring back into the garage, strip it down fully, understand where the problem is coming from.

“Obviously, that means we’re not back out on track at the moment.”

Fernando Alonso goes quicker

12:15 , Kieran Jackson

The AMR26 is still somewhat limited in its early running, but Alonso has shaved nearly two seconds off his fastest time of the day.

That’s a 1:20:795 on the leaderboard for the Spanish veteran.

Hopefully we should receive the final times from this morning shortly!

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc goes fastest

11:47 , Kieran Jackson

Leclerc sets a new fastest time - and it’s almost as quick as Russell yesterday!

Charles Leclerc: 1:16:653 (53 laps)
Oscar Piastri: 1:17:446 (52 laps)
Max Verstappen: 1:18:552 (55 laps)
Ollie Bearman: 1:19:079 (86 laps)
Pierre Gasly: 1:19:754 (59 laps)
Gabriel Bortoleto: 1:20:919 (37 laps)
Fernando Alonso: 1:22:479 (29 laps)
Valtteri Bottas: 1:22:790 (33 laps)

PHOTOS: Max Verstappen in Barcelona

11:30 , Kieran Jackson

VIDEO: Ferrari in Barcelona

11:10 , Kieran Jackson

Out and about in Barcelona ✅💪 pic.twitter.com/dtCADsuEjK
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 29, 2026

Day 5 morning session - details

10:53 , Kieran Jackson

While Oscar Piastri is top of the leaderboard, Haas’ Ollie Bearman leads the lap count.

Oscar Piastri: 1:17.446 - 32 laps
Max Verstappen: 1:18.552 - 46 laps.
Charles Leclerc : 1:18.9 - 36 laps.
Ollie Bearman: 1:19.0 - 54 laps
Pierre Gasly: 1:19.7 - 28 laps
Gabriel Bortoleto: 1:22.2 - 11 laps.
Valtteri Bottas: 1:22.7 - 26 laps
Fernando Alonso: 1:22.8 - 16 lap

Piastri quicker than Verstappen so far

10:15 , Kieran Jackson

First flying lap times are coming in, with Oscar Piastri quickest by over a second to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Ollie Bearman is, as it stands, faster than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Oscar Piastri: 1:17.446
Max Verstappen: 1:18.552
Ollie Bearman: 1:19.079
Charles Leclerc: 1:19.230

Just under two hours to go in this morning’s session...

PHOTOS: Ferrari and McLaren in action

10:06 , Kieran Jackson

McLaren testing in Barcelona (Formula 1)

Oscar Piastri sets fastest time this morning

09:28 , Kieran Jackson

The McLaren driver, who will take to the cockpit this morning with Lando Norris appearing this afternoon, sets a 1:18:950 - the fastest time of the morning so far.

Still over two seconds slower than George Russell’s quickest time on Thursday...

Fernando Alonso appears at his home track

09:04 , Kieran Jackson

The 44-year-old, who has been holding out for this year’s regulation change and Adrian Newey’s arrival, is out testing the AMR26 on soft tyres this morning.

Given Aston only managed the last hour yesterday, today is a crucial day in their pre-season preparations.

Seven teams straight out on track

08:19 , Kieran Jackson

Most teams not waiting about this morning: Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, Alpine, Audi, Haas and Cadillac are all straight out on track?

The only absentee? Aston Martin.

Mercedes and Racing Bulls have completed their three days of running already.

Williams make shock call to miss first F1 2026 test after ‘delays’ in car development

07:45 , Kieran Jackson

Williams have withdrawn from the private F1 pre-season test in Barcelona following “delays” to their car development programme.

James Vowles’s outfit, who boast an impressive driver pairing in Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, have long targeted 2026 and this new set of regulations as a year to work their way up the pecking order.

Yet following reports that the team’s 2026 car, the FW48, had failed the FIA’s mandatory crash tests, the team confirmed on Friday that they will not be present at the shakedown event for all 11 teams.

Christian Horner announces ‘exciting’ new venture ahead of 2026 F1 season

07:40 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner has announced a speaking tour in Australia ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

The former Red Bull F1 boss, who was sacked last summer after leading the team for 20 years since its inception, received a reported £80m pay-off as part of the terms of his exit.

Horner, 52, can return to the sport from this spring and is eyeing a route back into the paddock, with French team Alpine the most likely destination.

However, a week before the 2026 season starts in Australia on 8 March, the British executive is embarking on a new challenge: a three-day speaking tour down under.

Full piece below:

Christian Horner announces ‘exciting’ new venture ahead of 2026 F1 season

Day 4 - lap times, Russell fastest

Thursday 29 January 2026 17:40 , Kieran Jackson

That’s your lot for the penultimate day of the shakedown test!

George Russell set the quickest time with a speedy 1:16:445, with Mercedes leading the way once again - that’s their test done and dusted!

George Russell - 1:16:445 (78 laps)
Kimi Antonelli - 1:17:081 (90 laps)
Charles Leclerc - 1:18:223 (83 laps)
Oscar Piastri - 1:18:419 (48 laps)
Arvid Lindblad - 1:18:451 (47 laps)
Lewis Hamilton - 1:18:654 (87 laps)
Liam Lawson - 1:18:840 (64 laps)
Sergio Perez - 1:21:024 (66 laps)
Lance Stroll - 1:46:404 (5 laps)

PHOTO: Aston Martin's car in Barcelona

Thursday 29 January 2026 17:12 , Kieran Jackson

The AMR26 breaks cover - in mysterious black-and-white style!

ANALYSIS: How Lewis Hamilton is making his mark at Ferrari: ‘This car has a clear direction’

Thursday 29 January 2026 16:45 , Kieran Jackson

By Kieran Jackson

Twelve months into his multi-year Ferrari contract, Lewis Hamilton’s re-emergence into the public domain on Friday did not carry the weight of giddiness and expectation of a year ago. In hindsight, perhaps the delirium of his debut season was a bit too much for all involved.

Yet 2026 is an open book – new regulations and potentially a new pecking order – and the first season in which Hamilton can fully stamp his imprint on a new-look car. Whether or not the boffins in Maranello have heeded the knowledge and experience of Hamilton’s 19 years in Formula 1, however, is another matter altogether.

Full piece below:

How Lewis Hamilton is making his mark at Ferrari: ‘This car has a clear direction’

Aston Martin leave the garage

Thursday 29 January 2026 16:25 , Kieran Jackson

At long last, into the final hour, Aston Martin emerge in Barcelona!

Lance Stroll is the man at the wheel of the AMR26 but he’ll have less than an hour to test today before, hopefully, a full day’s running tomorrow.

The car is adorned in a temporary black livery, with their launch taking place a week on Monday, 9 February.

George Russell goes even quicker

Thursday 29 January 2026 16:15 , Kieran Jackson

Russell puts himself half-a-second quicker than the rest of the field with a 1:16:641.

Biggest statement so far this week?

PHOTOS: Lewis Hamilton out on track this morning

Thursday 29 January 2026 16:00 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona (Scuderia Ferrari)

Charles Leclerc sets his fastest time so far

Thursday 29 January 2026 15:45 , Kieran Jackson

The Ferrari driver sets a push time of 1:18:450, a-second-and-a-half down on Russell’s leading time...

Just over an hour to go...

George Russell goes fastest

Thursday 29 January 2026 15:30 , Kieran Jackson

The first time this week that the 1:17 barrier has been broken!

Russell goes top with a 1:16:928, around two-tenths quicker than Kimi Antonelli.

Less than two hours to go now until today’s testing session concludes - and still no sign of Aston Martin.

We’re hearing their intention is still to get the AMR26 out on track, having spent the morning fitting the Honda power unit to the chassis.

Meanwhile, back in Grove...

Thursday 29 January 2026 15:15 , Kieran Jackson

Williams are not present at this week’s shakedown test but, as we heard from James Vowles yesterday, they are set to feature in Bahrain in two weeks time.

Today, Carlos Sainz has had his seat fitted at their base in Oxfordshire.

VIDEO: Alpine's Franco Colapinto on Barcelona shakedown

Thursday 29 January 2026 14:45 , Kieran Jackson

Franco Colapinto reveals what Alpine have been working on during the Barcelona shakedown 🗣️ ℹ️ pic.twitter.com/6sPzOKvxm2
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) January 29, 2026

Russell goes second-fastest

Thursday 29 January 2026 14:31 , Kieran Jackson

More impressive timings from camp Mercedes - Russell has set the second-fastest time of the day with a 1:17:167, just a tenth down on teammate Kimi Antonelli this morning.

The Silver Arrows, thus far, really do look like the big winners from this week’s shakedown. Good mileage and table-topping times...

Charles Leclerc out there for Ferrari

Thursday 29 January 2026 14:16 , Kieran Jackson

The Monegasque, who we last saw on Tuesday morning, has taken Lewis Hamilton’s place in the cockpit of the Ferrari SF-26 for this afternoon.

And, as of yet, still no sign of Aston Martin!

Lewis Hamilton gives verdict on ‘intense’ first Ferrari F1 test in Barcelona

Thursday 29 January 2026 14:00 , Kieran Jackson

“It was an intense but productive first day, especially with the mixed weather conditions,” Hamilton said, after his testing on Tuesday.

“We managed to get good mileage on the car and gather a lot of useful information, which is important with such a big regulation change.

“There were no major issues and that gives us a solid foundation to keep learning and building over the next few days.”

More detail below:

Lewis Hamilton gives verdict on ‘intense’ first Ferrari F1 test in Barcelona

McLaren chief designer Rob Marshall on the MCL40

Thursday 29 January 2026 13:15 , Kieran Jackson

Marshall, formerly of Red Bull, is the man credited for McLaren’s championship-winning car last year:

"I think what you see is probably pretty much what we'll bring to the first race. A lot of our effort will be going into understanding this. Also we need to take into account what the opposition are up to.

“We need to be inspired by what they may or may not achieve, and may or may not show us. We really are going to have to be very focused on getting our heads around these cars. It's very complicated. It's all new.

“There's a lot of stuff that we need to dial in and tune in, so I think bringing a lot of new stuff to it early doors would complicate things, and I think we're better off understanding our platform before we get too keen on redesigning it before it's turned a wheel."

VIDEO: Lando Norris on No 1 car tag

Thursday 29 January 2026 13:01 , Kieran Jackson

A special moment for Lando, and he can't stop smiling about it! 😊#F1 pic.twitter.com/vdfUFzs2H7
— Formula 1 (@F1) January 29, 2026

Day 4 lap times - update

Thursday 29 January 2026 12:45 , Kieran Jackson

Here are the reported lap times and lap count after this morning’s four hours of running.

Another very good morning for Mercedes...

Kimi Antonelli - 1:17:081 (90 laps)
Oscar Piastri - 1:18:419 (48 laps)
Lewis Hamilton - 1:18:654 (87 laps)
Liam Lawson - 1:18:840 (64 laps)
Sergio Perez - 1:21:349 (38 laps)

Lewis Hamilton completes 87 laps

Thursday 29 January 2026 12:31 , Kieran Jackson

A really solid morning for Hamilton.

The Ferrari driver has completed 87 laps in dry conditions, with a lap time which was third-fastest behind Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri.

Sergio Perez clocks best time

Thursday 29 January 2026 12:19 , Kieran Jackson

Thirty-three laps for the Mexican in his Cadillac this morning, with a best time of 1:21:349.

Must say, it’s nice to have him and Valtteri Bottas back on the grid.

Hopefully final times from this morning’s running will drop soon!

Aston Martin yet to enter fray

Thursday 29 January 2026 11:44 , Kieran Jackson

Interestingly, we’re still yet to see Aston Martin out on track.

That being said, reports are indicating that when they do leave the garage, their car will be decked in black, similar to McLaren and Cadillac, not the usual racing green.

Aston are revealing their 2026 livery on Monday 9 February, with an event in Saudi Arabia.

NEW: Lando Norris admits ‘surreal’ McLaren moment at start of 2026 F1 testing

Thursday 29 January 2026 11:28 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris says seeing the championship-winning No 1 tag on his new McLaren car is a “surreal” feeling as he starts his 2026 F1 season preparations this week.

The British driver, who won his inaugural title last year, was at the wheel of McLaren’s MCL40 on Wednesday, setting the third-fastest lap of the day and clocking up 77 laps in total.

As per the regulations, the reigning world champion has the option of picking the number one tag for the following season’s car and, having taken up that option, Norris acknowledged how different it felt on Wednesday.

Full quotes below:

Lando Norris admits ‘surreal’ McLaren moment at start of 2026 F1 testing

Kimi Antonelli fastest so far this morning

Thursday 29 January 2026 11:08 , Kieran Jackson

The quickest lap times of the first three hours have just emerged, with Kimi Antonelli fastest for Mercedes - over a second-and-a-half quicker than Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari.

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 1:17:081
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 1:18:654
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 1:18:863
Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 1:19:369
Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 1:22:508

PHOTO: Hamilton in the SF-26

Thursday 29 January 2026 10:47 , Kieran Jackson

VIDEO: McLaren at Barcelona testing

Thursday 29 January 2026 10:30 , Kieran Jackson

Activating stealth mode! 😎

McLaren debut their MCL40 for the first time at the Barcelona Shakedown 👀#F1 pic.twitter.com/opXh4Mz2eb
— Formula 1 (@F1) January 28, 2026

Hamilton and Antonelli clocking up the miles

Thursday 29 January 2026 10:14 , Kieran Jackson

Both the Ferrari and Mercedes are logging the track-time this morning, with both drivers barely in the garage.

Both Mercedes drivers clocked over 90 laps in one session yesterday - can Hamilton follow suit in red?

Oscar Piastri at the wheel

Thursday 29 January 2026 09:49 , Kieran Jackson

After Lando Norris’ strong opening yesterday, it’s now the turn of Piastri to take to the wheel of the MCL40 today.

The Australian is out on track this morning...

Kimi Antonelli on Mercedes' W17 so far this week:

Thursday 29 January 2026 09:17 , Kieran Jackson

“The car feels nice, we still have a lot of running and learning to do, but it was good to see it out on track,” he said. “All the cars look really nice and they are quick.

“I don’t think the gaps on the grid will be as big as people think, we will have some close fights.

“It will take time for everyone to understand, particularly with the battery management, but once we start racing it will all get very exciting.”

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli (PA Wire)

Aston Martin yet to appear

Thursday 29 January 2026 09:05 , Kieran Jackson

Aston fine-tuned their car overnight and are expected to take to the track today for their first testing runs of the week in Barcelona.

However, no sign of Lance Stroll or Fernando Alonso yet...

Where can I watch pre-season test?

Thursday 29 January 2026 08:55 , Kieran Jackson

As it is a private event, the test will not be broadcast or streamed on TV or online.

However, Sky Sports F1’s YouTube channel will show brief highlights every night at 9pm, with F1’s usual set of cameras present at the Barcelona circuit.

The FIA have confirmed that lap times will be published at the end of each day, too.

Lewis Hamilton back on track

Thursday 29 January 2026 08:31 , Kieran Jackson

Contrary to Tuesday, Lewis Hamilton has appeared on track for Ferrari for the morning session.

The first bit of dry running in Barcelona for the seven-time world champion!

Racing Bulls are another team who have appeared early on...

Day 4 of testing

Thursday 29 January 2026 08:09 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes are the first team out the block this morning, meaning today will be their final testing day.

Cadillac and Ferrari have also appeared from the pit-lane early on.

Cadillac F1 boss wades in on pre-season row: ‘We have a fully legal engine’

Thursday 29 January 2026 07:45 , Kieran Jackson

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon is satisfied that his new F1 team have a “fully legal engine” via partners Ferrari amid the row brewing ahead of the 2026 season.

Last week, Red Bull’s engine boss said he “couldn’t understand” why a row had broken out, yet Cadillac team boss Lowdon, in charge of F1’s first new team since 2016, has thrown his support behind the Ferrari power unit his team will use this year.

Full story below:

Cadillac F1 boss wades in on pre-season row: ‘We have a fully legal engine’

More from Vowles:

Thursday 29 January 2026 07:30 , Kieran Jackson

“We could have made Barcelona testing, but I’d have to have turned upside-down the components on spares for Bahrain, Melbourne and beyond,” he said. “Frankly, there was zero point.

“I’m confident we won’t be behind [other teams] for the following reason: we’ve got six days of testing in representative conditions [in Bahrain]. We have the power unit and gearbox provided by Mercedes, who’ll be doing the running this week.

“The drivers stand shoulder to shoulder with me, they’re clearly disappointed. It isn’t the same, but they both signed up for the journey of not one year, but to fight to the top. We are going to push this team to the absolute limits to maximise our journey to the front. They are very much with the team, hand in hand.

On the potential performance of the car, Vowles added: “It’s impossible to tell right now, these are facts.

“Lap times in Barcelona don’t indicate where cars are on the timing sheet, but Bahrain will tell us that.”

Vowles has a strong driver pairing in Carlos Sainz (centre) and Alex Albon (right) (Getty)

James Vowles speaks out on missing F1 testing:

Thursday 29 January 2026 07:15 , Kieran Jackson

We’ve been hearing from the Williams team principal this afternoon, who has explained his decision to pull the team out of this week’s test:

“It clearly wasn’t our plan [to miss Barcelona] and it’s incredibly painful,” Vowles said, in a conference call on Wednesday. “But it’s also our determination to push to the limits of the regulations.”

In explaining his decision, Vowles said: “There’s no point being just underneath the curb. We need to find the pinpoints and put them right very quickly. I’m confident in our decision to miss Barcelona. I’m pleased to say we’ve passed all necessary tests, we’re ready for Bahrain and we’ll carry out a promotional filming day before that.

“The car this year that we’ve built is about three times more complicated than anything we’ve put through our business before. The amount of load going through our system. We started falling a bit behind. In addition to that, we’ve pushed the boundaries in certain areas. It was only a blip in the grand scheme of things.”

What can we expect tomorrow?

Wednesday 28 January 2026 17:45 , Kieran Jackson

Ferrari will be making their second appearance, while Aston Martin are scheduled to leave the garage for the first time this week.

Whether we see Max Verstappen tomorrow or Friday remains to be seen...

Tune in at 8am (GMT) tomorrow once again to find out!

Kimi Antonelli fastest on day three

Wednesday 28 January 2026 17:21 , Kieran Jackson

That quick time from the Italian this afternoon puts him top at the end of day three, just under two-tenths quicker than Mercedes teammate George Russell.

McLaren’s Lando Norris, who got in some good mileage today, was third-fastest but over a second down on Russell.

Still, a positive day for the world champions, who finally entered the testing arena.

Mercedes one-two on day three of testing

Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:40 , Kieran Jackson

Here are the current fastest laps of the day, with just under half-an-hour to go:

Kimi Antonelli - 1:17:382
George Russell - 1:17:580
Lando Norris - 1:18:725
Franco Colapinto - 1:19:150
Ollie Bearman - 1:19:314
Arvid Lindblad - 1:19:420
Pierre Gasly - 1:20:413
Nico Hulkenberg - 1:21:010

George Russell after testing on Monday:

Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:15 , Kieran Jackson

“It's great to be back out on track driving an F1 car once again! The cars looked really cool out on the circuit and that's positive for our sport. They are quite different for us as drivers but, once you get your head around it, driving them is quite intuitive.

“It's enjoyable being behind-the-wheel and I think there's a lot for fans to look forward to with these new regulations. We are pleased with our day, but I've also been impressed by several other teams too.

“The Red Bull power unit has completed a lot of laps which, given that it's their first engine they've built, means they've clearly done a good job. Haas also managed a similar amount of running to ourselves, so the Ferrari power unit has also put together plenty of mileage. It's not quite how it was in 2014!

“The sport has evolved so much since then and the level, in every single aspect, is so high now.”

Lando Norris back out on track

Wednesday 28 January 2026 16:05 , Kieran Jackson

The world champion, sporting the No 1 on his car, is back out for the final hour of testing in Barcelona.

Can he set a time which beats Antonelli’s, I wonder?

Lando Norris testing the 2026 McLaren F1 car in Barcelona (McLaren Formula 1 team)

Kimi Antonelli sets quickest time of testing so far

Wednesday 28 January 2026 15:14 , Kieran Jackson

An early testing statement from Kimi Antonelli!

The teenager has just set the fastest time of this week’s test in Barcelona, a 1:17:362, having put the soft tyres on the Mercedes W17.

VIDEO: New aerodynamic features

Wednesday 28 January 2026 15:00 , Kieran Jackson

This brief clip shows the ‘active aero’ on the front and rear wings.

We’ll have to get used to the previously novel sight of the front-wing flapping!

Active aero. Insanely cool. 🤓

On the straights the front and rear wings will open to reduce drag, but in the corners they will close to increase downforce 😮‍💨#F1 pic.twitter.com/GstXfI9wsM
— Formula 1 (@F1) January 27, 2026

VIDEO: Franco Colapinto at pre-season testing in Barcelona

Wednesday 28 January 2026 14:45 , Kieran Jackson

The beginning of a new era.

Looking back at @Francolapinto's first day behind the wheel of the A526 🤩 pic.twitter.com/gE379yWjTH
— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) January 27, 2026

Gasly and Antonelli out on track

Wednesday 28 January 2026 14:30 , Kieran Jackson

A change of driver this afternoon at Alpine and Mercedes: Gasly in for Colapinto and Antonelli in for Russell.

Meanwhile, the Racing Bulls car has stopped on track and is on a truck back to the pits. Unideal...

Norris currently third-fastest

Wednesday 28 January 2026 14:15 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris’ time of 1:19:672 put him third on the leaderboard this morning, despite completing just 33 laps - the least bar Haas and Audi.

All smiles so far for Lando...

Lap times this morning

Wednesday 28 January 2026 13:45 , Kieran Jackson

We’re now hearing word of this morning’s lap times, as well as laps completed: George Russell with the fastest time, followed by Franco Colapinto and Lando Norris.

George Russell, 1:17:580 -92 laps
Franco Colapinto, 1:19:150 - 56 laps
Lando Norris 1:19:672 - 33 laps
Arvid Lindblad 1:20:714 - 61 laps
Ollie Bearman 1:20:840 - 21 laps
Nico Hulkenberg - no lap time - 5 laps

Pre-season testing - laps completed

Wednesday 28 January 2026 13:22 , Kieran Jackson

Bang on halfway through the testing week, here’s the number of laps completed from all the teams so far:

Mercedes - 251
Red Bull - 185
Haas - 175
Racing Bulls - 149
Ferrari - 123
Alpine - 116
Cadillac - 44
McLaren - 33
Audi - 32

In terms of power units, that equates to:

Mercedes - 390

Ferrari - 342

Red Bull-Ford - 334

Audi - 32

Racing Bulls first car out on track

Wednesday 28 January 2026 13:21 , Kieran Jackson

Red Bull’s junior team, with their Ford power unit, get things rolling this afternoon

Afternoon session underway

Wednesday 28 January 2026 13:01 , Kieran Jackson

The second four-hour slot of the day has started in Barcelona. Will Audi re-emerge - and how many more laps will the likes of Mercedes and McLaren undergo?

F1 signs ‘incredible’ multi-year deal with Liverpool’s long-term sponsor

Wednesday 28 January 2026 12:55 , Kieran Jackson

Formula 1 has signed a multi-year deal with Standard Chartered, the long-term shirt sponsor of Liverpool FC.

The new partnership will see the British multinational bank support the all-female racing series, F1 Academy, and provide “enhanced trackside activations for its clients and guests.”

More below:

F1 signs ‘incredible’ multi-year deal with Liverpool’s long-term sponsor

Audi announce signing of British driver

Wednesday 28 January 2026 12:50 , Kieran Jackson

Away from the Barcelona test, Audi have announced the signing of British driver Freddie Slater to their new driver development programme.

The 17-year-old will race in Formula 3 this season with Trident Motorsport.

Slater said: “Joining forces with a respected team like Trident Motorsport for Formula 3 and having the backing of Audi Revolut F1 Team is a massive opportunity. I am fully focused on working hard and making the most of this pivotal step towards my goal of reaching Formula One."

Freddie Slater, Audi Driver Development Programme (Audi F1 team)

Morning session - summary

Wednesday 28 January 2026 12:30 , Kieran Jackson

A significant morning of running for Mercedes, with George Russell clocking 92 laps over the course of four hours. The Briton also has the fastest time.

Early on, Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) and Ollie Bearman (Haas) encountered problems which triggered early red flags, with Audi failing to re-appear.

Alpine’s Franco Colapinto managed 56 laps with 61 laps to the name of British rookie Arvid Lindblad, invaluable time for the 18-year-old.

And it was positive to see McLaren out on track, with world champion Lando Norris completing 33 laps with the new No 1 on his car!

George Russell goes fastest

Wednesday 28 January 2026 12:25 , Kieran Jackson

That is some morning for George Russell in the cockpit!

Not only has he recorded the fastest time of the day - a 1:17:580 - but the Briton has also clocked up an astonishing 92 laps in the Mercedes W17 this morning!

PHOTOS: McLaren out on track

Wednesday 28 January 2026 12:10 , Kieran Jackson

The first morning of the 2026 season for the reigning world champions.

Lando Norris testing the 2026 McLaren F1 car in Barcelona (McLaren F1 team)

Aston Martin update

Wednesday 28 January 2026 11:45 , Kieran Jackson

With McLaren’s emergence today, the only other team we’re yet to see this week (aside from Williams, who confirmed they won’t be present) is Aston Martin.

Their car has been shipped to Barcelona and is undergoing FIA checks today. It is expected they will run tomorrow and Friday.

Obviously unideal, given they won’t fulfil their maximum quota of three days this week.

Current track acitivity

Wednesday 28 January 2026 11:25 , Kieran Jackson

There’s four teams on track right now, with Franco Colapinto for Alpine having set the fastest time so far - a 1:19:1250.

George Russell has completed the most laps though, by some margin. He’s completed 72 laps and is running on the hard tyre at the moment.

Elsewhere:

Colapinto - 41 laps (current tyre: soft)
Lindblad - 31 laps (soft)
Bearman - 16 laps (not currently on track)
Norris - 10 laps (medium)
Hulkenberg - 5 laps (not currently on track)

Lando Norris tests new McLaren car

Wednesday 28 January 2026 11:10 , Kieran Jackson

Reigning F1 world champion Norris is the driver in the cockpit for McLaren this morning - and it’s the first time we’ve seen No 1 on his car!

He initially came out to complete an installation lap before heading back to the pits. Now, he’s looking to get some solid running in, with a quickest time of 1:24:635 so far.

Just under one hour left before the unofficial lunch break...

Red Bull will not be testing today

Wednesday 28 January 2026 10:45 , Kieran Jackson

After Isack Hadjar’s crash yesterday, Red Bull will take one of their two rest days today.

Max Verstappen will take to the wheel for a full day of running either tomorrow or Friday.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies: “We can't wait for the next opportunity to run. It's something we're analysing now and hope to have some answers later."

Max Verstappen testing in Barcelona (Red Bull Racing)

A reminder of McLaren's new car

Wednesday 28 January 2026 10:37 , Kieran Jackson

No live pictures from Barcelona yet, but here’s the temporary livery McLaren are using on their MCL40 this week.

Their actual livery reveal comes on Monday 9 February in Bahrain, before the second pre-season test.

The MCL40, shakedown edition (McLaren F1)

Oscar Piastri in engineering this morning

Wednesday 28 January 2026 10:17 , Kieran Jackson

First time we’ve seen either McLaren driver spotted around the Barcelona circuit this week.

McLaren out on track

Wednesday 28 January 2026 10:00 , Kieran Jackson

Finally, we see the MCL40 out on the circuit!

Two days and two hours into testing, McLaren unveil their 2026 car.

ANOTHER RED FLAG

Wednesday 28 January 2026 09:45 , Kieran Jackson

Ollie Bearman’s Haas has stopped at turn two.

Something in the air in Barcelona this morning!

RED FLAG

Wednesday 28 January 2026 09:31 , Kieran Jackson

Problems for Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi car.

The German stopped the car out on track and was forced to leave the cockpit.

The car has now been put on a truck to return to the pits - and we’re back to green flag conditions...

Audi and Alpine also out on track

Wednesday 28 January 2026 09:04 , Kieran Jackson

Franco Colapinto has taken to the track for Alpine, while Audi are also out on the circuit for their second day of testing.

No sign of McLaren or Cadillac... yet.

What happened on Tuesday?

Wednesday 28 January 2026 08:40 , Kieran Jackson

It was a wet day of running yesterday, with just four drivers out on track - two for Red Bull and two for Ferrari.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:19:578 (27 laps)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:20:844 (66 laps)
Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) - 1:31:891 (42 laps)
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 1:32:872 (57 laps)

Brits galore

Wednesday 28 January 2026 08:27 , Kieran Jackson

Joining Lindblad out on track this morning is the Mercedes of George Russell and Haas of Ollie Bearman.

Mercedes looked impressive on Monday, while Bearman is set for a full day of testing after Esteban Ocon clocked over 100 laps on Monday...

Day 3 begins

Wednesday 28 January 2026 08:10 , Kieran Jackson

Arvid Lindblad, this year’s only rookie driver, takes to the track for Racing Bulls to begin the third day of testing.

We are expecting to see McLaren’s MCL40 car today and, with the sun shining in Barcelona, there should be more action on track than yesterday.

What are the timings in Barcelona?

Wednesday 28 January 2026 07:05 , Kieran Jackson

The private ‘shakedown’ event for the teams will take place over five days, Monday-Friday, starting at 8am (GMT) and finishing at 5pm (GMT), with a one-hour lunch break at midday (GMT).

With eight hours of running a day, and teams able to run on a maximum of three days, teams could gather up to 24 hours of invaluable data for the season ahead.