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How F1 pre-season testing works
2026 F1 pre-season testing is more important than ever before,
given the scale of changes made to cars over the winter. For the
new campaign, the single-biggest overhaul in regulations has taken
place, with changes to both the engines and chassis being
introduced. The new power units now feature beefed-up electrical
systems, with 350kw of power up from the 120kw in 2025, with power
now set to come via a 50-50 split between the internal combustion
engine and batteries. On the chassis, active aerodynamics have
been introduced. Three pre-season tests are planned, with one in
Barcelona scheduled between January 26th - 30th, before heading to
Bahrain for two three-day tests in February. The Barcelona test is
a private, behind-closed-doors shakedown, with teams permitted to
run for three of the five days, for nine days total before the
season-opening Australian GP on March 8th. View the schedule for
the first week of testing below! The article continues below. F1
Barcelona pre-season testing schedule How Barcelona testing works
Essentially a private shakedown, teams will be able to run for
three of the five days in Barcelona, and it is up to them to decide
which three. For example, Ferrari will be running on Tuesday for
the first time and Thursday as well, meaning it still has to decide
between Wednesday and Friday. During the hours when the track is
open, teams can complete any number of tests and do whatever they
want, although the first days in Barcelona are likely to focus on
systems and engine checks before any serious aerodynamic work is
completed later in the week and in Bahrain. Most teams who have
launched their cars so far have completed shakedowns, but for the
drives, Barcelona will be the first time to get up to speed with
the new demands of the power units, a change Lewis Hamilton has
branded the biggest in his career. What are the aero-rakes?
Pre-season testing is the time to spy cars looking a bit unusual
with the aero-rakes bolted to the side as cars pound around.
Essentially, they are aero-sensors, and are tasked with collecting
data about airflow to see if the team's wind-tunnel and CFD
simulations are translating into the real world. What is the
function of flow viz paint? In addition, we often see teams using
some kind of paint on the car. That, too, is intended to learn more
about the airflow, and ensure the air passing over the car, is in
fact, doing what is expected of it. What is sandbagging? Teams
will always try to keep their true pace under wraps and a secret
for as long as possible. Disguising your true pace is known as
'sandbagging.' Essentially, it is running the car full of fuel and
in lower engine power settings not to give an indication of the
true pace, although through GPS tracking, rivals can usually work
out who is doing what. Towards the end of testing, if a team has
had a poor test, it will often complete a 'glory run', which is
taking all of the fuel out and turning the engine up to steal the
headlines with 'Team X fastest in F1 pre-season testing.'
