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McLaren’s Zak Brown points out two things that surprised him the most in the first week of F1 2026 testing.
McLaren boss Zak Brown identified Red Bull’s engine and overall reliability as the most surprising aspects during the first week of F1 pre-season testing. The behind closed doors shakedown in Barcelona hosted 10 out of 11 F1 teams, showcasing the new-for-2026 cars away from public eyes. Mercedes and Ferrari had strong performances, with Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest lap. However, Brown was particularly impressed by the performance and reliability of Red Bull’s first-ever in-house power unit. As F1 heads to Bahrain for further testing, McLaren aims to enhance their car’s speed and reliability, focusing on development and improvement.
