Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen all participated in their initial sessions during the opening pre-season test for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The five-day private test is taking place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, focusing primarily on assessing the reliability of new cars amid updated aerodynamic and power unit regulations, including novel in-air controls set for 2026.
Due to the emphasis on testing durability and adapting to rule changes, lap times during this shakedown are less critical than they will be during later tests scheduled in Bahrain next month.
Conditions and Timing Data During the Barcelona Sessions
The Tuesday session at the Circuit de Catalunya encountered rainy conditions, limiting opportunities for consistent dry-weather running. Timing information was initially released through an agreement involving the circuit and all 11 Formula 1 teams, with the circuit responsible for managing the data. However, publicly accessible timing was cut off midway through Monday afternoon and has remained unavailable since.
Despite this, Spanish outlet SoyMotor reported lap times for several prominent drivers based on available data. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar continued his strong performance by topping the timesheets once again in the afternoon, setting a fastest lap of 1:31.981 after 22 laps.
Comparison of Hamilton, Leclerc, and Verstappen’s Lap Times
Lewis Hamilton recorded a lap time of 1:33.455 during the afternoon session, completing 38 laps despite the challenging weather. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen ran in drier conditions during the morning, with Verstappen posting the fastest dry-weather time of 1:19.578 and Leclerc close behind at 1:20.844.
In wetter conditions, Leclerc managed a time of 1:32.088, while Verstappen’s lap in the rain was notably slower at 1:38.254, indicating less representative performance. Hamilton was observed using intermediate tyres in the afternoon, whereas Leclerc ran on wets for part of the morning session, likely aided by some rubber laid from earlier dry running.
Next Steps for Testing and Team Preparations
Testing is set to continue on Wednesday with the third day of running, during which McLaren plans to debut their 2026 car. With lap times currently influenced by weather and variable fuel loads or tyre choices, the true competitiveness of the new cars will be clearer in the Bahrain tests. Teams will focus on refining performance and adapting to the technical regulations ahead of the upcoming season.
