P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 testing: Fake cars, dirty tricks and why you shouldn’t trust what you see
It’s that time of year again, when F1 pre-season testing gets underway, and we all try to guess which team might be the dominant force for the year to come. This year, we’re being treated to 11 days worth of testing, with F1 aiming to help teams get better prepared for the 2026 regulation changes sweeping into the sport. Five days of testing are taking place this week at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya behind closed doors, before the teams move on to Bahrain for two three-day events in February. Teams have been showcasing their 2026 cars at elaborate launch ceremonies in recent weeks, inviting admiration for their livery choices. However, it remains uncertain how much we can interpret from these pre-season activities, and whether teams are truly revealing their real cars. With Honda and Alpine concealing parts of their designs during launches, and teams like Haas preferring to keep their true designs under wraps, the true competitive landscape remains to be seen until the Australian Grand Prix in March. The Barcelona shakedown may not present a full picture, but Bahrain could unveil the actual pace of the teams, although history suggests caution in predicting grid order solely based on testing results, especially under new regulations. Past instances, like the 2014 season, remind us to approach the upcoming season with awareness and a pinch of skepticism.
