P1racenews AI automatic summary:
There’s something slightly different about Formula 1 pre-season testing this year. And I think it’s something to do with a change in mindset. On one hand, teams are already shifting their focus to …
The Formula 1 pre-season testing this year has a different vibe, with teams already shifting focus towards the 2026 regulations, considered to be a monumental challenge. Red Bull’s Christian Horner described the upcoming changes as the biggest in the sport in 50 years, affecting both chassis and engine regulations simultaneously. Team technical departments are geared towards meeting this challenge head-on. However, the standout mindset shift during the pre-season testing is the anticipation of a classic 2025 season, with expectations running high for a closely contested championship. Teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes are no longer just hoping to catch up but are now expecting to be race winners and title contenders in what looks to be a closely-fought battle. McLaren team principal Zak Brown predicts intense competition across the field, with the potential for multiple teams and drivers to clinch victories throughout the season. With cars becoming more reliable and evolutionary, teams show confidence in their machinery as they focus on consistently achieving strong performance during testing.
