F1 Makes Drastic Change to Pre-Season Testing in 2026 As New Regulations Shake Things Up

Alex Harrington | Feb 28, 2025

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track with Aero Rakes during day three of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 28, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain. / Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

F1's 2026 pre-season testing will see substantial changes. Not only are we going to be seeing a whole new era of regulations, but the timing and location of the event will also see modifications.

Instead of the typical three-day testing, the 2026 season will feature a longer testing window. Initial testing will kick off on January 26 and continue until January 30 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. However, traditional pre-season testing leader Bahrain will still play a role with a number of follow-up tests.  

The decision to extend the testing timetable is driven by the introduction of new power unit and chassis regulations, which require teams to have more time to adapt to this huge change. These changes are part of an overall restructuring within Formula 1 that aims to transform the series by 2026, once again in the aim of improving the racing for viewers.

Previous years saw testing set at just three days, but with new rules on the horizon, involving substantial overhauls in car design and performance, more thorough preparations have been deemed necessary. Increasing the testing duration is hoped to prevent challenges similar to the ones faced in 2022. Let's not even mutter the word "porpoising". 

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At this first testing session in Barcelona, teams will have access to the circuit for five days but can choose any three days within that period for their testing procedures. This flexibility is intended to accommodate unpredictable external conditions like weather and team-specific technical circumstances. The initial testing period will be a closed-door event. Each team must bring their cars up to testing readiness about a month in advance, leading to an accelerated timeline for car development.  

Technological advancements are a central theme of the changes coming in 2026. The new regulations will see the introduction of fully sustainable fuels and an increased utilization of the electric aspects of power units. Teams have to be ready to tackle integration and reliability questions with these components at the forefront. The goal of these adjustments is not just to improve vehicle performance but to also align the racing world more closely with sustainability goals of automakers and the wider market.

After completing their work in Barcelona, teams will then prepare for two three-day testing sessions at the Bahrain International Circuit, scheduled from February 12-14 and February 18-20.

Bahrain has served as the starting point for pre-season testing six times since 2009, but has been part of the season since 2004. Testing sessions are typically held toward the end of February.