P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The 2026 F1 regulations are moving in a “good direction” as George Russell experiences “pretty exciting” outing at Barcelona.
The 2026 Formula 1 regulations are moving in a “good direction” according to George Russell, who had an “exciting” outing during the Barcelona private shakedown.
Teams are testing the 2026 cars officially for the first time at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, marking the start of the latest era in the sport.
After a ‘private shakedown’ in Barcelona, teams will have two pre-season tests in Bahrain to prepare for the upcoming season.
Mercedes debuted its W17 earlier at Silverstone for a filming day, allowing them to benchmark against rivals for the first time.
The new regulations mandate an overhauled engine formula, a reduced minimum weight by 30kgs, a shortened wheelbase, and a 50-50 split between electrical and combustion output.
George Russell praised the speed and agility of the new cars, especially noting the weight reduction and improved power output.
The 2026 F1 season sees new entries like Audi and Red Bull as a works team, adding an element of jeopardy and excitement to the grid.
