McLaren and Red Bull Unveil 2026 F1 Cars in Pre-Season Testing Images
In a significant pre-season testing event, McLaren and Red Bull debuted their 2026 Formula 1 cars. This moment marks a key milestone for both teams as they prepare for the new season.
Pre-Season Testing Overview
On the first day of testing, seven out of the eleven teams were actively running their cars. The teams included:
- Red Bull
- Mercedes
- Racing Bulls
- Haas
- Alpine
- Audi
- Cadillac
However, teams like McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Williams opted out of running on this day. McLaren chose to maximize its design time and delayed their track debut.
Team Updates and Performance
McLaren highlighted their new car’s unique testing livery, while Red Bull cautiously presented studio images of theirs, intentionally concealing key design features. The Red Bull team achieved a remarkable number of laps with their new engine, developed in partnership with Ford.
George Russell from Mercedes commented on the performance of various teams, particularly praising Red Bull’s effective mileage. He noted, “The Red Bull power unit has completed many laps, showing impressive reliability and performance.”
Audi, making its debut in Formula 1 through the takeover of the Sauber team, experienced some reliability challenges during testing. Team principal Jonathan Wheatley stated, “We identified a technical issue, resulting in a proactive decision to switch the car off. We want to thoroughly understand all problems before proceeding.”
Drivers’ Impressions
Drivers shared their initial thoughts on the 2026 cars. Several noted that the vehicles felt different to drive, and there is a learning curve ahead. Bortoleto from Audi remarked on the transition, saying, “The cars are very different. Though they may feel slower, having a power unit that is 50% electric significantly boosts acceleration out of corners.”
Lawson from Racing Bulls echoed similar sentiments, stating, “It’s challenging to assess our performance relative to others at this stage. We’re focused on optimizing the car right now.”
Looking Ahead
With rain forecasted for the next day, teams have the opportunity to adapt and refine their strategies. Teams are only permitted to run on three of the available testing days, making every session crucial as they prepare for the upcoming season.
