A security presence has been deployed to stop fans watching the opening pre-season test of the F1 2026 season in Barcelona, it has emerged.<\/p>\n
It comes as a number of so-called \u2018spy shots\u2019 appeared on social media of cars on track on Monday morning.<\/p>\n
Big security presence for F1 2026 testing in Barcelona<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n Five days of testing are being held at the Circuit-de Barcelona-Catalunya from Monday as the first official running of the F1 2026 season takes place.<\/p>\n In an unusual move, Formula 1 opted to make the test a behind-closed-doors event as teams get to grips with their new machinery after major regulation changes over the winter.<\/p>\n Three official tests will take place ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8 with two further tests scheduled to take place in Bahrain next month.<\/p>\n The decision to make testing a behind-closed-doors event has not stopped fans flocking to the circuit to get a glimpse of the new cars in action.<\/p>\n Sections of the Barcelona track are visible from nearby hills and public places, including a hiking trail.<\/p>\n F1 2026 testing: The first steps in Formula 1\u2019s season of change<\/p>\n F1 2026 uncovered: How Boost, Overtake, and sustainable fuel change the game<\/a><\/p>\n F1 2026 uncovered: The game-changing potential of \u2018Active Aero\u2019 revealed<\/a><\/p>\n These vantage points resulted in various images of the cars on track emerging on social media over the course of Monday morning,<\/p>\n One such shot revealed Gabriel Bortoleto\u2019s Audi R26 stationary on track, with the team confirming to PlanetF1.com<\/a> that the Brazilian had suffered a \u201ctechnical issue\u201d on the opening day.<\/p>\n It has emerged that a security team has been deployed to move people on from the hotspots, with reports from the venue claiming that access to a number of perimeter roads also closed off.<\/p>\n As revealed by PlanetF1.com last week<\/a>, limited broadcast coverage is expected to be available for the second winter test of F1 2026 in Bahrain.<\/p>\n Although plans are yet to be finalised, it is understood that only the final hour of each day\u2019s running will be televised in Bahrain across February 11-13.<\/p>\n Full television coverage is expected to resume at the final test, also in Bahrain, across February 18-20.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n