Hamilton's Ferrari Tops Timesheets as Mercedes Dominates Barcelona F1 Test

Fears that Formula One's sweeping new regulations and entirely fresh engine designs might cause significant problems on their debut have been largely allayed, following the conclusion of the first pre-season test in Barcelona. The three-day session, held behind closed doors at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, concluded on Friday with a surprisingly smooth and productive run for most teams.

Mercedes Sets a Staggering Benchmark

While lap times are treated with caution at this early stage, the standout performance in terms of sheer reliability and distance came from the Mercedes team. The Silver Arrows delivered what can only be described as a bulletproof display, completing a remarkable 500 laps over the test. This equates to a distance of 2,328.5 kilometres, putting them well clear of their rivals.

Andrew Shovlin, the team's trackside engineering director, expressed immense satisfaction, stating that the running had "more or less ticked all our objectives." This mileage is particularly impressive given it rivals distances achieved in recent years with well-established engines and stable regulations. For a brand-new power unit on its first competitive outing, such reliability is a formidable achievement and sends a clear, ominous signal to the rest of the grid.

Hamilton Provides a Ferrari Boost

In a headline-grabbing moment, Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, secured the fastest lap of the entire week. On Friday afternoon, he posted a time of 1 minute 16.348 seconds on the softest tyre compound. This performance serves as a significant morale booster for the Scuderia, which endured a difficult previous season. The lap, while not indicative of ultimate race pace, provides renewed confidence within the Maranello-based squad.

His teammate, Charles Leclerc, echoed a sense of optimism now permeating the paddock regarding the new era of Formula One. "I think there's a lot of excitement, not only in Ferrari but I think around the whole paddock," Leclerc remarked. "It's an exciting time for Formula One."

Strong Showings Across the Grid

Mercedes and Ferrari were not alone in enjoying a positive start. The test's primary focus was on accumulating mileage and understanding the new cars, rather than chasing outright speed.

Red Bull, building its own power units for the first time, enjoyed strong and consistent running, which the team will view as a major positive.
McLaren, the defending constructors' champions using Mercedes engines, completed a solid 291 laps. Their world champion driver, Lando Norris, was pleased with the progress. "We've identified opportunities and areas to improve, and we're excited to see what we can do back in Woking as we prepare for Bahrain," he said.
New entrant Audi experienced some difficulties and will be disappointed, having prioritised reliability in these early stages.
The Aston Martin, powered by Honda, managed only limited running and will require more work in the forthcoming tests.

Looking Ahead to Bahrain

Mercedes driver George Russell summarised the general sentiment, calling it a "very positive test," which is high praise given the scale of the technical overhaul. However, he and others were quick to note that the true challenge begins now. The next two tests in Bahrain will see teams start to push their cars closer to the limit, offering the first genuine clues about the competitive order for the start of the 2026 season. The successful Barcelona outing has laid a crucial foundation, but the battle for pace is only just beginning.