P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull set the early pace as red flags disrupted the first morning of Formula 1’s opening test of 2026.
Red Bull set the early pace during the first morning of Formula 1’s 2026 opening test, despite red flags disrupting the session in Barcelona. The test, closed off to media and fans, spans Monday to Friday, with teams given liberty to run on any three out of the five days. Participating teams, such as Red Bull, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Alpine, Haas, Audi, and Cadillac were in action on Monday. McLaren and Ferrari postponed their start until Tuesday, while doubts loom over Aston Martin’s schedule and Williams’ absence from the test entirely. New Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar showcased speed as he surpassed early leader Kimi Antonelli, emphasizing the preliminary nature of lap times at this early stage of testing.
