Formula 1 drivers offered a cautiously optimistic assessment of the sport’s brand-new cars after the opening day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Monday. With sweeping regulation changes coming into effect, teams and drivers alike are beginning to understand what lies ahead for the future of Formula 1.
Mercedes driver George Russell was among those to share positive early impressions, suggesting the new generation of cars represents an exciting step forward for both competitors and fans.
“The cars look fantastic out on track, and that’s definitely a positive sign for the sport,” Russell said. “They feel quite different for us as drivers, but once you adapt, they’re surprisingly intuitive to drive. It’s genuinely enjoyable behind the wheel, and I think fans have a lot to be excited about under these new regulations.”
Russell’s team-mate Kimi Antonelli echoed those sentiments, describing the Mercedes as “very nice to drive” during his early laps. Elsewhere in the paddock, Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson noted that the new cars appear to give drivers more scope to influence performance, while Audi rookie Gabriel Bortoleto highlighted the unique feel of the new power units.
The drivers shared their thoughts during pooled interviews organised by Formula 1 and the sport’s governing body, the FIA, as well as through official team statements. Independent media were not granted access to the test, as teams opted to conduct the Barcelona running behind closed doors.
Security around the circuit was particularly strict. Several journalists reported being moved on by security staff while attempting to observe the cars from public land outside the track. The secrecy reflects the sensitivity surrounding the new technical regulations.
The decision to hold a private test was influenced by lessons learned from 2014, when Formula 1 last introduced major engine rule changes. At that time, multiple teams suffered severe reliability issues, which they were keen to avoid repeating under public scrutiny.
This year’s cars represent a complete reset for the sport. The regulation overhaul covers chassis design, power units, tyres, and the mandatory introduction of carbon-neutral sustainable fuel. The most significant change lies in the engines, where electrical power now contributes 50% of total output in the hybrid systems.
Energy deployment and management are expected to become central strategic elements of Formula 1 racing when the regulations fully take effect in 2026. On Monday, seven of the 11 teams participated in the test, including Red Bull, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Haas, Alpine, and newcomers Audi and Cadillac.
McLaren opted not to run their car on the first day, explaining last week that they wanted to maximise development time before putting the car on track. Ferrari, having completed an initial shakedown at their factory, also chose to sit out Monday’s running.
Aston Martin have confirmed their new car will not be ready until Thursday, while Williams are absent from the Barcelona test altogether due to delays in their design and manufacturing schedule.
Lap times were not released, and every team encountered at least minor technical issues as they began learning how their new machines behave. Reliability, rather than outright performance, was the primary focus during the opening day.
Despite the challenges, rival teams were impressed by the mileage completed by both Red Bull outfits. This was particularly notable given that Red Bull are running their own in-house power unit for the first time, developed in partnership with Ford.
Ahead of the test, both McLaren and Red Bull unveiled images of their 2026 cars for the first time. McLaren revealed their challenger in a one-off testing livery that will be used throughout the week, while Red Bull released carefully staged studio images designed to conceal key aerodynamic features.
Russell praised the progress made by rival teams, highlighting how far Formula 1 has evolved since the troubled introduction of hybrid engines more than a decade ago.
“We’re happy with how our day went, but I’ve also been impressed by what others have achieved,” Russell said. “Red Bull’s power unit has completed a lot of laps, which is remarkable considering it’s their first engine built in-house. Haas also managed similar mileage to us, so Ferrari’s power unit looks solid too. It’s definitely not like 2014 – the sport has come a long way, and the level across every area is incredibly high now.”
Audi, who have officially taken over the Sauber team as part of their first full Formula 1 entry, experienced a setback when a reliability issue sidelined Bortoleto in the afternoon session.
Team principal Jonathan Wheatley explained the cautious approach taken by the German manufacturer. “We detected a technical issue and chose to shut the car down,” he said. “There’s plenty of testing ahead this year, and it was important to fully understand the problem and assess conditions before deciding whether to run again tomorrow.”
Rain is forecast for Tuesday, potentially adding another variable to the second day of testing. Teams are permitted to run on a maximum of three of the available test days, increasing the importance of making every session count.
Bortoleto described the new cars as a significant departure from what drivers are used to. “They feel very different,” he said. “I think they will be slower overall, but it’s very exciting to have a power unit that’s 50% electric. When you exit a corner, the energy deployment gives you a huge surge of speed, and you really feel how strong the engine is.”
“You need to adapt your driving style, but at the end of the day, it’s still a racing car,” he added.
Lawson also emphasised how early the learning process remains. “It’s very different to drive, and I’m still figuring it out,” he said. “We’ll keep learning. It feels like drivers can potentially make more of a difference now, but it’s far too early to know where we stand.”
“The power unit feels good, but reliability is the main concern at the moment. We completed a decent number of laps today, and the issues we faced were precautionary rather than major problems. It’s impossible to judge where we are compared to everyone else right now.”
As testing continues, teams will gradually unlock performance while ensuring reliability under the sport’s bold new regulations. For fans, the early signs suggest a fascinating new era of Formula 1 is on the horizon.
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