Hadjar Sets Pace on Opening Day of Barcelona F1 Shakedown
The Barcelona circuit hosted a collective Formula 1 shakedown today, January 26th, with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar posting the fastest time. Several teams utilized the Catalan track to conduct initial testing and systems checks ahead of the upcoming 2026 season. Participating teams included Mercedes, alpine, Racing Bulls, Cadillac, Audi, and Haas, all implementing enhanced safety protocols for the event.
The day wasn’t without incident, as three red flag situations interrupted running. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) was the first to trigger a stoppage, followed by Bortoleto and Liam Lawson, each experiencing separate issues requiring track intervention.
Testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is scheduled to continue through January 30th, providing teams with valuable data acquisition before the official start of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship. The season opener will take place on March 8th in Australia.
Fans in Italy can follow the Barcelona testing live on Sky, with streaming options available through NOW.
Key Highlights:
* Fastest Time: Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
* Teams Participating: Mercedes,Alpine,Racing Bulls,Cadillac,Audi,Haas,Red Bull
* Red Flags: Franco Colapinto,Bortoleto,Liam Lawson
* Testing Duration: January 26th – January 30th (Barcelona)
* Season Opener: March 8th (Australia)
* Broadcast: Sky and NOW (Italy)
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