F1 plans to start 2026 testing in Barcelona in January

Formula 1 teams will have more time to test their new cars for the 2026 rules overhaul, with the first test scheduled for late January in Barcelona, Autosport has learned.

For the past three years, F1 teams have had just three days of official testing before the start of the championship. But with a major overhaul of the regulations coming in 2026, the amount of track time looks set to triple.

The introduction of new power units and significantly revised chassis regulations means that teams and engine manufacturers may need more time to iron out any potential issues.

Current plans include a five-day shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the 26-30 January, similar to the extra testing days granted in 2022, the last time F1 underwent a significant technical change.

The session is expected to be behind closed doors, with teams free to choose any three days within the five-day window for on-track running.

This approach is designed to help teams maximise their time efficiently, allowing them to adjust their schedules based on weather conditions and potential technical issues.

As F1 prepares for one of the most significant regulatory changes in its history, teams will also face the challenge of integrating fully sustainable fuels alongside a more powerful electric component. Ensuring reliability is expected to be one of the teams’ top priorities.

The early start is likely to give teams and engine manufacturers as much time as possible to identify and address any potential reliability issues. In 2022, several teams only discovered the severity of the porpoising phenomenon during pre-season testing in Barcelona.

This also means that teams will need to adjust their development schedules, as they will need to have their cars ready to hit the track almost a month earlier than in 2025.

Following the Barcelona shakedown, testing is expected to continue in Bahrain, where two three-day sessions are planned, provisionally for the 12-14 February and then for the 18-20 February.

In recent years, the Sakhir circuit has become the venue for pre-season testing, with sessions traditionally held at the end of February.