P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 fans go wild over ‘white smoke’ testing rumour at Barcelona
F1 fans on social media have been speculating about conspiracy theories after witnessing white smoke emerging from the pit lane in Barcelona. The week in Barcelona has been dedicated to a five-day private shakedown in preparation for the 2026 season, with 10 of the 11 teams taking part in the testing. Among the teams, Williams chose to skip the test due to their car not being ready for the track. Various drivers have topped the timesheets throughout the week, with Mercedes’ George Russell setting the fastest time. Reports of white smoke from the pit lane caused a stir among fans, although the exact cause remains unconfirmed amid generally reliable performance from the teams. Despite initial concerns about reliability with the new regulations, teams have fared well during testing, hinting at a promising start to the 2026 season. The ongoing testing phase will shed more light on the teams’ readiness when they head to Australia in March.
