P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1’s first collective 2026 test will take place behind closed doors at Barcelona this week – here’s what to expect
The first Formula 1 test of 2026 is set to start, with teams gearing up for a unique experience due to Williams missing the test entirely.
The five-day event in Barcelona will be held behind closed doors from January 26 to January 30, limited to teams, and a small crew for official F1 content recording.
Teams are restricted to running on a maximum of three out of the five days, creating a varied schedule to optimize early learning and system validation.
Different strategies are in play, with some opting to maximize early mileage for reliability checks, while others plan to adjust based on initial problems encountered.
Expect limited imagery during the Barcelona test due to restrictions, with the true unveiling possibly saved for the following Bahrain tests, where the commercial value of content reveals could be higher.
