F1 Testing: Red Bull, McLaren & Audi Debut 2026 Cars – First Day Report

Pre-season testing for the 2026 Formula 1 season began this week, though not all teams were on track Monday. Seven of the eleven teams participated in the initial running, with several notable absences and early challenges marking the start of a new era for the sport.

Early Track Action and Absences

Red Bull, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Haas, Alpine, and the new Audi and Cadillac teams were all present on the track Monday. McLaren and Ferrari, however, opted to delay their on-track testing. McLaren stated this decision was to maximize design time, while Ferrari had already completed an initial test at their factory last week. Aston Martin’s new car isn’t scheduled to be ready until Thursday, and Williams is missing the test entirely due to delays in their design and production program.

Did You Know? McLaren last won the drivers’ and constructors’ championship double in 1998.

Initial Challenges and Impressions

No official lap times were released during the first day of testing, and all teams encountered at least some technical issues as they began to understand their new cars. Despite this, the amount of mileage achieved by the Red Bull teams – running their new in-house engine developed in partnership with Ford – impressed rival teams. Audi, entering F1 by taking over the Sauber team, experienced a reliability issue that halted Bortoleto’s afternoon running.

New Cars and Power Units

Before the on-track action began, both McLaren and Red Bull revealed images of their 2026 cars. McLaren showcased their car in a special one-off testing livery, while Red Bull strategically released studio shots designed to conceal key design elements. Drivers offered initial impressions of the new generation of cars, with Bortoleto noting the significant 50% electric component of the power unit and Lawson acknowledging the substantial differences in driving feel.

Expert Insight: The early focus on reliability, even during pre-season testing, underscores the complexity of these new power units and the significant engineering challenge facing all teams as they transition to the 2026 regulations.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday’s testing is expected to be impacted by rain, and teams are limited to a maximum of three running days. It is possible that teams will adjust their testing programs based on the weather conditions. Further development and refinement of the new cars are likely as teams gather more data. The absence of several key teams at the start of testing could mean a delayed understanding of the competitive landscape, but it is also likely to lead to a flurry of activity as those teams join the track later in the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which teams did not run on Monday?

McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Williams did not run on Monday. McLaren and Ferrari chose to delay testing, Aston Martin’s car wasn’t ready, and Williams is experiencing delays in design and production.

What was notable about Red Bull’s performance?

Rival teams were impressed by the amount of mileage the Red Bull teams managed to complete, especially considering it was the first full day of running with their new in-house engine developed with Ford.

What challenges did Audi face on the first day?

Audi experienced a reliability issue that prevented Bortoleto from driving during the afternoon session.

How significant will the 50% electric component of the new power units be to the overall performance of the cars?