F1 2026: Weight Issues and Delays Loom Over Barcelona Testing
Formula 1 teams are facing a race against time and physics as they prepare for the upcoming Barcelona testing. Reports suggest that some squads may miss the opening day while others struggle to meet the new weight targets.
The private shakedown session, scheduled for January 26-30 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, marks the first on-track opportunity for the radical 2026 regulations but it appears not every garage will be open for business when the pit lane light turns green.
Strategic delays and tight schedules
Rumours circulating in the paddock indicate that at least two teams, potentially including a front-running outfit, are behind schedule with their car builds. As the five-day event allows teams to run for only three days of their choosing, skipping the first day has become a strategic option for those needing extra factory time.
Unlike the official FIA sessions that will follow in Bahrain later in February, this initial European outing offers flexible run plans. Some competitors are reportedly aiming to arrive at the Barcelona testing with a more developed «Spec A» machine rather than a basic launch car, deliberately trading track time for additional development hours in the wind tunnel and simulator.
The battle of the scales
Beyond the logistical scramble, the technical challenge of the new 768kg minimum weight limit is proving to be a headache for engineers across the grid. The 2026 rules have slashed 32kg from the previous limit, a target that Williams Team Principal James Vowles and Mercedes’ Andrew Shovlin have described as extremely difficult to hit immediately.
Despite smaller car dimensions and narrower tyres, the increased weight of the new battery systems means most cars are expected to be overweight when they roll out for the Barcelona testing. With every 10kg of excess weight costing approximately three-tenths of a second per lap, the pressure to slim down is immense.
Drivers such as Fernando Alonso and George Russell have welcomed the move towards lighter and smaller machinery, hoping it will improve agility in low-speed corners. However, the reality of the engineering challenge means that reliability and system checks will likely take precedence over raw performance during these early days.
Kursiv also reports that Scuderia Ferrari is adopting an «aggressive» strategy for the 2026 Formula 1 season, pushing the assembly of its new car to the absolute limit.
