2026 Formula 1 season kicks off with special five-day testing event in Barcelona

GPblog understands that the 2026 season will get underway with a special five-day event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which will later host the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June as well.

From 26 January until the 30 January, teams will be able to test during three days, and as a result, they will sit out two. That also leaves room for potential issues with the weather over the winter. This event will be behind closed doors.

Together with the regulation change, the 11th team, Cadillac will join. Moreover, many teams will test with having new engine manufacturers. Audi will then be a factory team, Red Bull will use their in-house power units they build in collaboration with Ford, while Honda are teaming up with Aston Martin.

After the first test have been concluded in Barcelona, there will be two further three-day tests in Bahrain. During the current season, the grid visited the Sakhir International Circuit from 26 until 28 of February.

Next year, the two similar tests will take place on 11-13 February, and then on 18-20 February, and fans can attend these tests.

The season-opening round will then follow on 6-8 March in Australia.