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Racing Bulls deliver early verdict on new Red Bull engine

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has praised the new Red Bull power unit, admitting the team is “pleasantly surprised” by its performance. Red Bull has fielded its own power unit this year for the first time, built in collaboration with Ford. With the units being supplied to both Red Bull-owned teams, no major issues have been reported during the Barcelona shakedown event this week Racing Bulls completed its running on Thursday and is now looking ahead to its next on-track venture, which will be the pre-season test in Bahrain. Permane commended the job carried out by Red Bull and its new power unit department as it allowed Racing Bulls to enjoy a largely uninterrupted shakedown. “A huge learning curve for us, a new power unit manufacturers Red Bull Powertrains with Ford, their partner, have done an incredible job. “The engine, the whole power unit has run very, very reliably. I won’t say we were expecting problems, but we've been pleasantly surprised with how well things have gone. “It’s enabled us to just get on and do our program, and the engine guys have been doing stuff in the background, lots of tests and things like that.” Racing Bulls, like the rest of the teams, has six days of testing left to complete ahead of the season-opening round in Melbourne. Casting a look at the upcoming Bahrain test, Permane said: “We're just excited to get there. We're ready to go. “Three good days here, plenty of mileage, and we'll go there with a very full program for those, those two three-day tests.”

motorsportweek.com·Jan 29

F1 Test: Kimi Antonelli tops morning session, Aston Martin arrives for maiden run

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has reportedly topped the timesheets in the morning's running of the third day of the F1 pre-season test at Barcelona.

racingnews365.com·Jan 28

The details behind Ferrari's F1 2026 debut - and what is to come

Ferrari made its first appearance at the Barcelona shakedown test on Tuesday, with Charles Leclerc getting behind the wheel in the morning. The Monegasque driver achieved a total of 64 laps as he gave the debut to the brand-new Ferrari SF-26. In a predetermined plan, Lewis Hamilton was always due to take over in the afternoon. The focus of the day was partly on checks of various operating modes of the power unit and partly, should the weather conditions allow, on a first observation of the active aerodynamics. Because of the conditions, it was Leclerc who was able to pick up driving duties covering the latter part. He was the only driver working with the so-called Partial Active Aero Mode, the third aerodynamic configuration approved by the FIA at last December's World Motor Sport Council. This mode represents a compromise between the configuration for straights (Straight Mode) and the standard corner mode (Corner Mode). The choice of this mode depended heavily on track conditions. After several early runs on a largely dry track, the asphalt became wet during the morning due to heavy rain. Although the track later dried out again, grip levels remained variable until the lunch break. This prevented Ferrari from fully completing the scheduled program. Leclerc's runs, however, provided valuable information. The different modes of the power unit, combined with extensive aerodynamic measurements involving flow-vis on the rear wing, determined the shape of his outing. Hamilton drove his program mainly in wet conditions with limited grip. The seven-time world champion tallied 58 laps, which means the more pronounced aerodynamic test work for him will be pushed forward to the remaining days of testing. Reliability Although lap times are not a priority at the moment, one aspect clearly stood out positively: the reliability of the power unit. Already during the first day of testing, no significant problems were reported by the Haas and Cadillac customer teams - both for the combustion engine and the battery. That represents an important basis in this preparatory phase, in which teams are faced with many technical issues. These must be answered not only during this test in Barcelona, but also during the following two sessions in Bahrain. During the remaining days of testing, Ferrari is focusing primarily on the dynamic analysis of the SF-26. The emphasis here is on extensive data collection around the suspension and on aerodynamic performance, particularly the distribution of downforce generated. The various modes (recharge, boost and overtake mode) of the power unit also remain the subject of evaluation, especially during long runs. This will look specifically at energy recovery through the various systems, with extra attention to regeneration during braking.

racingnews365.com·Jan 26

2026 F1 Barcelona Pre-Season Test - Day 1 unofficial afternoon results

Isack Hadjar unofficially topped the afternoon session on the opening day of the official shakedown test in Barcelona, according to local reports. With live timing cut following the morning session and security high, reports of track action have been minimal. However, according to Soy Motor, Red Bull's new signing went fastest with a 1m 18.159, with George Russell in second on a 1m 18.696 — the only other driver in the 1m 18s. Alpine's Franco Colapinto completed the top three at the end of day one, while Sergio Perez completed his first laps for Cadillac at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Esteban Ocon reportedly completed around 150 laps, with Mercedes completing the second most mileage. Day two gets underway on Tuesday morning at 09:00 local time (CET). Check out the unofficial afternoon results below! 2026 F1 Barcelona Pre-Season Test - Day 1 afternoon unoffiical results

racingnews365.com·Jan 26

Barcelona 2026 pre-season test update: F1 awakens from hibernation, surprise with Red Bull shakedown

The first pre-season test of 2026 is officially underway in Barcelona. Although the track is open for five days this week, the teams are allowed three days of running, all of which is behind closed doors as fans and media are excluded. The test is necessary to evaluate the new cars, sporting new power units and associated aerodynamics. Two further three-day tests in Bahrain follow in February. So what do we know about the first day of testing so far? Isack Hadjar gives RB22 the spurs Red Bull immediately completed its first laps with the RB22. The Milton Keynes-based team chose to test day immediately, with, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Isack Hadjar at the wheel. The Frenchman drove the first installation laps around Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya. Max Verstappen is looking on for the time being, but will, of course, be given plenty of opportunity to put his new car through its paces. For Red Bull, the test is crucial, especially since it has built its own engine, developed in collaboration with Ford, for the first time. Williams and Aston Martin woes While most of the teams are already in Barcelona or starting their program from Tuesday, that is not the case for Williams and Aston Martin. RacingNews365 has previously reported that Williams is skipping the entire test, related to crash test failures on a new nose box, whilst Aston Martin has opted not to run for now. It is unlikely the Adrian Newey-led team will start its programme until Wednesday. Different program for Ferrari and McLaren In addition to Williams and Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren are also running a different program. Ferrari indicated at the launch and shakedown at Fiorano on Friday that it will begin its test week on Tuesday. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both conducted a shakedown last week after the car's unveiling, providing them with an early feel. McLaren will appear at the Barcelona circuit on Monday, but only for a short shakedown/filming day, allowing no more than 200km of running, and on special Pirelli tyres for such an event, rather than the regular rubber. F1's defending drivers' and constructors' champions will start its week of testing on Tuesday or Wednesday, dependent on weather conditions - with rain expected on Tuesday - and how the shakedown goes. New teams eager to join Beyond Williams, Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren, all the teams were in action on Monday, including Audi and Cadillac. Audi took over Sauber and is appearing as a factory team for the first time in F1, while Cadillac is new to the sport. It was, therefore, a major coup for both teams to be out on track on the first day. Racing Bulls, Mercedes, Haas and Alpine also started the closed test on Monday morning. Kimi Antonelli took a seat behind the wheel of the new Mercedes, widely regarded as the favourite for this year. Mercedes flew out of the starting blocks when the V6 engine was introduced in 2014, going on to dominate the sport for years. Has it again built the best power unit this year? What fans can expect How private is a private week of testing? F1 has promised that it will share some photos and videos during the test. The teams also have permission to take limited videos of the cars in the pit lane and on the track. So here and there, footage will appear. Fans are also reliant on spy shots. Although the Barcelona circuit is secure, some know how to find secret spots and take images of the cars. So no live footage, but certainly some nice pictures.

racingnews365.com·Jan 26

Why F1's Barcelona 2026 pre-season test is not on TV

Formula 1 pre-season testing for the 2026 season kicks off today in Barcelona with five days of running ahead. Of these five days, teams will be limited to just three days allowed on track, which they are able to individually choose depending on what best suits their testing plans, with Ferrari confirming it will not be running for the first time until Tuesday, 27th, February and then again on Thursday, 29th, with the third day still to be decided. But unlike in previous years, when F1 pre-season testing has been televised, running in Barcelona will not be broadcast live. Live timing will not be available, with it being up to each team to decide what information, such as the number of laps completed and any lap-times, they release to the public. In the UK, Sky Sports F1 will be producing a nightly round-up of the action, but there will otherwise be little information from the private shakedown at the former Spanish Grand Prix venue, but why is this? Why F1's Barcelona 2026 pre-season test is not on TV During the last massive change to F1 power units in 2014, testing was the usual free-for-all, and the sight of multiple teams stranded in the garage suffering from teething troubles caused embarrassment. So, in order to avoid as much negative press as possible whilst teams and power unit suppliers ensure the basic fundamentals are actually working as intended, the Barcelona test has been declared as a 'behind-closed-doors' outing. The same was declared for the first 2022 test when the ground effect machines were introduced, and the nasty surprise of porpoising was discovered. Essentially, F1's Barcelona 2026 pre-season test is not being televised to allow teams to complete their first serious running away from the media spotlight before heading to Bahrain's two three-day outings in February. At least nine of the 11 teams will be running in Barcelona at some point through the week. RacingNews365 reported last week that Williams will not be taking part due to delays in passing the crash tests, whilst Aston Martin is set to not be on track until Wednesday at the earliest.

racingnews365.com·Jan 26

Red Bull boss hails Max Verstappen importance: 'He gives us a triple advantage'

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has hailed the importance of Max Verstappen, noting that he gives the Austrian outfit a "triple advantage." Verstappen remaining with the Milton Keynes-based outfit for the start of the new power unit regulations is a major boost for Red Bull, given the conversations that were held with Mercedes. The Dutchman’s future was a significant talking point for the first half of the 2025 season, with George Russell having confirmed at the Austrian Grand Prix that his own contract talks with Mercedes had been delayed by discussions between the Silver Arrows and Verstappen. However, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen put all the rumours and speculation to bed by stating that he would remain with Red Bull for 2026. Despite this, performance clauses reportedly remain in his contract, allowing an exit before his deal concludes at the end of the 2028 season. Mekies has already acknowledged that the 28-year-old sticking with Red Bull is a "risk," given the new regulations but also the fact that the team is producing its own power unit for the first time in its history. There is a huge unknown surrounding just how competitive the RB22 will be, with a true answer unlikely to emerge until the opening rounds. Nevertheless, Verstappen will be with Red Bull for the start of F1 and the team’s new era, with Mekies addressing exactly what the four-time world champion brings to the outfit. "I think we have a triple advantage with Max," Mekies told De Telegraaf . "First of all, because of his commitment. "Number two is his feeling in the car and the extra brain capacity he has in the car to deal with all those issues. "Finally, Max can push the team in the right direction like no other, which helps us get even more out of the car. He thus gives us a significant boost."

racingnews365.com·Jan 25

Red Bull make striking decision for first 2026 F1 test

Red Bull has selected 18 sets of the C3 soft compound tyre for the upcoming first pre-season test in Barcelona, as confirmed by Pirelli. Ahead of next week’s five-day official shakedown test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Pirelli revealed that the C1 (Hard), C2 (Medium), C3 (Soft), Intermediate, and Wet compounds will be available. Upon revealing the compounds on offer to the teams in Spain, F1’s tyre supplier confirmed how many of each set every team had selected. As first reported by RacingNews365, Williams will miss the test following issues passing the FIA’s mandatory crash tests. The Grove-based outfit released a statement on Friday afternoon confirming it would be absent from Barcelona to continue focusing on preparing its 2026 F1 car. Across the five-day test, the teams present are permitted to run for three days, with McLaren and Ferrari both having revealed they will not start running on the first day. Being the first real running of the cars, each team has its own programme in mind, resulting in huge differences in how many sets of each compound the teams have taken. As mentioned, Red Bull has remarkably opted for 18 sets of soft tyres, one set of mediums, and no hard tyres. Barcelona will see the RB22 on track for the first time, with no shakedown having been conducted ahead of the test — a strategy also taken by McLaren. For Barcelona, McLaren has selected four sets of C1 tyres, 10 sets of C2 tyres, and six sets of C3 tyres. Mercedes has selected the most hard tyres in the paddock for Barcelona, opting for eight sets. Ferrari, which unveiled the SF-26 on Friday before undergoing an initial shakedown, has selected the most C2 tyres, with the Scuderia to receive 12 sets, while no team has opted for more soft tyres than Red Bull. See how many sets of each tyre compound the teams have selected below! Tyre sets selected per team

racingnews365.com·Jan 24

Former Mercedes chief reacts to alleged F1 engine trick

Former Mercedes engine guru Andy Cowell has offered his reaction to the alleged compression ratio trick the team has developed. Over the winter, it was reported that Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, of which Cowell was the director when the turbo hybrids were first developed for 2014, had engineered a solution to allow it to run a higher compression ratio for the new 2026 engines. The rules dictate that a 16:1 compression ratio is the maximum in 2026, but this is only measured when the car is at ambient temperatures in the pit-lane. Technology to measure the ratio when the car is out on track is not available, with reports suggesting HPP and potentially Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) have managed to produce a ratio of 18:1, potentially worth 0.3s per lap. Around Australia's Albert Park, this would be worth 17.4s of race time over the 58 laps, with a crunch engine meeting set to take place on January 22nd between the manufacturers and the FIA. Audi chief technical officer Mattia Binotto wants talks aimed at developing the technology to measure the ratio on track, whilst Graeme Lowdon of Cadillac, whose team will run Ferrari power units, declared that his new outfit would run "a fully legal engine." Addressing the topic at the launch of Honda's new power unit as it teams up with Aston Martin, chief strategy officer Cowell offered his thoughts on the row. "The topic of compression ratio, there's always a topic that bubbles up when new regulations come into place," explained Cowell. "And every competitor reads the regulations and pushes performance to the limit. Compression ratio is clearly a key thermal efficiency enabling aspect of an internal combustion engine, so you always push it to the limit. "I'm sure every single power unit manufacturer is doing that. The FIA have the job to make sure that everybody interprets the regulations in a fair and equal way."

racingnews365.com·Jan 22

FIA eager to avoid 'court case' after growing F1 technical row

FIA single-seater technical director Nikolas Tombazis says the governing body is eager to avoid "being sat in courts" after the first race amid a growing technical row. Over the winter, it was reported that Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, and potentially Red Bull Powertrains, had developed a system to increase the compression ratio of its new 2026 engine to 18:1, exceeding the prescribed limit of 16:1. An increased compression ratio will hand any power unit using it a power boost, worth potentially up to 0.3.s per lap in Melbourne, or 17.4s in race time across the 58 laps. The controversial aspect is that when the compression ratio is measured at ambient temperatures in the pit-lane, it would be at the 16:1 limit, but potentially through the use of expanding metals, on-track, it could exceed this, but not be detected. As a result, Ferrari, Honda, and Audi, the other 2026 suppliers, are unhappy, with a crunch meeting taking place on Thursday, 22nd January, to iron out the row, with one solution potentially being tighter rules for 2027. Speaking for the first time about the situation, the FIA's single-seater director Tombazis believes no protests would be launched in Australia. "Of course, everyone is extremely passionate and competitive, and when people are in that state of mind, it does create a bit of blindness to maybe other arguments," he explained to Reuters at the Autosport Business Exchange. "Some people, therefore, present their points of view as the only truth. Unfortunately, things are never completely simple. That's where we come in to make sure we clarify these things. "I don't think it's as huge a topic anyway as currently is being made out in the press." When asked about the potential for a protest in Melbourne, Tombazis felt no such action would be taken. "I believe we are going to be OK," he said. "It's a top priority to make sure we don't have controversies because we want to go racing and not to be sat in courts and hearings after the first race."

racingnews365.com·Jan 21

Audi addresses growing F1 trick row ahead of crunch FIA meeting

Audi chief technical officer Mattia Binotto has shared his "hope" for a crunch FIA meeting with power unit manufacturers after the alleged Mercedes engine trick. During the winter, it was reported that Mercedes High Performance Powertrians had developed a trick to allow it to run a higher compression ratio - 18:1 - than the regulations allow when the car is out on track. Current testing of the compession ratio, set at 16:1 for the 2026 rules, is carried out by the FIA at ambient temperatures when the car is in the pit-lane, with no test currently existing for the measuring of the ratio when the car is on-track. In theory, this means that when the car is running, it could produce a compression ratio, effectively an increase in power, higher than the regulations allow, but when measured, appear legal and in conformity with the rules. It is believed the Mercedes HPP trick could be worth as much as 0.3s per lap around the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, equating to a 17.4s advantage over the course of the 58 lap distance. A meeting is planned for Thursday, January 22nd between the power unit manufacturers and the FIA, with Audi entering F1 as a power unit manufacturer for the first time in 2026, as former Ferrari boss and current chief technical and chief operating officer Binotto addressed the trick for the first time at the team's glitzy R26 launch in Berlin. "I don't think there will be clarity or compromise, so the meeting is more together with the FIA discussing how we can improve or develop a methodology for the future to measure the compression ratio in operating conditions," Binotto told select media in Berlin, including RacingNews365. "Because we know today we are doing it in poor conditions, with engines disassembled, so you may wait until the end of the season to know if you were compliant. "We are trying, altogether, to develop a methodology where you can measure it in real time, while the car is running. "So my hope is that the meeting is not on clarity of the regulation itself, but more to define a methodology for the future. "I think it is the fight in Formula 1, it is part of the job, so it would not be normal if we are not fighting each other. "I don't know whether it is true or not; there are only rumours at the moment that Mercedes may have designed an engine such that the compression ratio can be higher in certain conditions, but that is not for me to prove. "At the end, it is down to the FIA, so regulations are important, enforcing regulations is important, and we can only trust the FIA. "If it is real, it [will] certainly [create] a significant gap in terms of performance and lap time, and that would certainly make a difference when we come to competition on track."

racingnews365.com·Jan 21

Cadillac deliver 'fully legal' swipe at rival amid growing F1 controversy

Cadillac boss Graeme Lowdon has declared his team will be running a "fully legal engine" in the 2026 season, after the alleged Mercedes engine trick controversy. Over the winter, it was reported that Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, and potentially Red Bull Powertrains, had found a way to increase the engine compression ratio beyond the new 16:1 limit when the cars were out on track. Crucially, however, when the engines would be measured at ambient temperature in the pit-lane, the compression ratio would be back at the 16:1 limit, with a higher ratio leading to a power increase. It was estimated that around the Albert Park lap of the Melbourne season-opener, the trick, if used, could be worth as much as 0.3s per lap, or 17.4s in race time across the 58 laps. RBPT boss Ben Hodgkinson did not completely deny that his team were running such a trick upon the Red Bull launch last week, with the Mercedes car set for launch on Thursday, January 22nd. For the newcomer team Cadillac, it is to be powered by a customer Ferrari engine, and has completed a shakedown at Silverstone. Speaking after this, team principal Lowdon observed that he was confident the power unit from Maranello was "fully legal." "What I'm very confident and happy about is we have a fully legal engine," Lowdon told Sky Sports News. "With these engines, the combustion is not allowed to take place at a compression ratio above 16 to 1. "Without going into too many details, we know that Ferrari have completely followed the rules where that stands. That gives us a lot of confidence. "In terms of performance, we work and support our power unit partner to the absolute maximum. We're very happy with the relationship. "I can't really talk for other people's power units or how they've interpreted the regulation. But to me, it's extremely clear, it's there in black and white." "I've worked with Ferrari a number of times before; they're great partners. It's an iconic name in Formula 1. All of the people in that team are real racers as well, and we welcome them into the Cadillac Formula 1 team."