ANALYSIS: Why Ford are ‘climbing a mountain’ in hope of powering Max Verstappen to F1 glory after 22-year absence
Just 39 days since Lando Norris’s title triumph in Abu Dhabi, the Formula One wagon is slowly cranking back into gear. Yet this time, those changes of gear are clunky and unpredictable. 2026 marks a deep dive into the unknown: new regulations, new teams and, for most of the field, new dreams. Disregard the usual gossip and murmurs. The truth is that nobody really knows what to expect.
And so it was 4,000 miles from UK’s so-called “Motorsport Valley” in the Midlands and Oxfordshire, which hosts six of the now 11 teams, where the love-or-loathe F1 launch season began in piercing sub-zero conditions on Thursday night. The venue was Michigan Central Station in Detroit, with temperatures around -10C, as Red Bull took to the stage alongside one of America’s biggest car manufacturers.
Kieran Jackson28 January 2026 07:45
ANALYSIS: How Lewis Hamilton is making his mark at Ferrari: ‘This car has a clear direction’
Twelve months into his multi-year Ferrari contract, Lewis Hamilton’s re-emergence into the public domain on Friday did not carry the weight of giddiness and expectation of a year ago. In hindsight, perhaps the delirium of his debut season was a bit too much for all involved.
Yet 2026 is an open book – new regulations and potentially a new pecking order – and the first season in which Hamilton can fully stamp his imprint on a new-look car. Whether or not the boffins in Maranello have heeded the knowledge and experience of Hamilton’s 19 years in Formula 1, however, is another matter altogether.
Kieran Jackson28 January 2026 07:30
Williams make shock call to miss first F1 2026 test after ‘delays’ in car development
Williams have withdrawn from the private F1 pre-season test in Barcelona following “delays” to their car development programme.
James Vowles’s outfit, who boast an impressive driver pairing in Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, have long targeted 2026 and this new set of regulations as a year to work their way up the pecking order.
Yet following reports that the team’s 2026 car, the FW48, had failed the FIA’s mandatory crash tests, the team confirmed on Friday that they will not be present at the shakedown event for all 11 teams.
(Getty)
Kieran Jackson28 January 2026 07:20
F1 signs ‘incredible’ multi-year deal with Liverpool’s long-term sponsor
The new partnership will see the British multinational bank support the all-female racing series, F1 Academy, and provide “enhanced trackside activations for its clients and guests.”
Kieran Jackson28 January 2026 07:15
What are the timings in Barcelona?
The private ‘shakedown’ event for the teams will take place over five days, Monday-Friday, starting at 8am (GMT) and finishing at 5pm (GMT), with a one-hour lunch break at midday (GMT).
With eight hours of running a day, and teams able to run on a maximum of three days, teams could gather up to 24 hours of invaluable data for the season ahead.
Kieran Jackson28 January 2026 07:05
Welcome to day three of our live coverage of the first F1 pre-season test in Barcelona.
We’ve seen Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes – today it’s McLaren’s turn to reveal their first hand!
We’re expecting at least one of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on track today – and perhaps even both of them.
Kieran Jackson28 January 2026 07:00
McLaren will feature tomorrow for the first time, even though the weather is set to be wet once again.
The question is: will any of the teams who sat out today opt for some wet running tomorrow?
Catch you tomorrow at 8am (GMT) for day three of the pre-season test in Barcelona!
Kieran Jackson27 January 2026 18:30
DAY 2 TIMINGS Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:19:578 (27 laps) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:20:844 (66 laps) Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) – 1:31:891 (42 laps)Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:32:872 (57 laps)
Kieran Jackson27 January 2026 18:16
In the end, Lewis Hamilton completed 56 laps, with a fastest time of 1:32:872.
Charles Leclerc, who recorded some dry running this morning before the rain came, posted 64 laps and a quickest time of 1:20:844.
That’s 120 laps in one day for Ferrari – I’d say a solid enough start to their testing programme!
Charles Leclerc testing the 2026 Ferrari car in Barcelona (Scuderia Ferrari)
Kieran Jackson27 January 2026 18:00
McLaren confirm plans to test Wednesday-Friday
The reigning world champions have missed the first two days to maximise development time on their car, but we will see Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri over the next few days.
Kieran Jackson27 January 2026 17:45