The highly anticipated F1 Barcelona Shakedown has kicked off with teams testing their all-new 2026 cars in private sessions amid concerns about potential breakdowns. Day 1 featured an impressive performance from Red Bull, while Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen made their initial appearances on a wet track. However, the day was marred by a crash involving Isack Hadjar in a new Red Bull, prompting discussions among teams. Despite the challenges, teams like Ferrari expressed optimism regarding engine reliability. On Day 2, the atmosphere remained tense as George Russell and others noted improvements in rival teams, with Red Bull once again topping the unofficial timing charts. The closed-door format of this year’s test has sparked curiosity among fans, leading to various attempts to catch glimpses and gather insights from the sessions.