Formula 1 teams must avoid humiliating repeat of ‘PR disaster’ at first 2026 shakedown

Follow us on Google Discover

Formula 1 cars are close to hitting the track again, ahead of what is arguably the most exciting and unpredictable rule change of the sport’s history.

The 2026 F1 regulations mark significant changes to the engine and aerodynamics, with an emphasis on electrification and sustainability. Everyone has been left guessing what will happen – fans think McLaren have the best drivers, but there’s no guarantee they will defend their title.

The 11 teams have been scrambling to build the best car under the new rules, with no one truly knowing where the others are in terms of performance. They will get some idea at the shakedown session in Barcelona at the end of the month, but the fans will not.

The countdown is on — which 2026 challenger are you most excited to see? 👀

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

2026’s first official test will be run behind closed doors, with no spectators or media coverage. This is not the first time this has happened this year, with Audi running their R26 in secret earlier this month at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Very little is known, or will be known, of the test and where the teams stand afterwards. Ferrari will run a ‘hidden’ specification of the SF-26 in Barcelona, but that is about as much information as fans are expected to get from the session, and there is a reason for that.

F1 suffered a ‘PR disaster’ with the first shakedown of the 2014 cars

The last major regulations changes in 2014 brought about turbo-hybrid V6 engines and later utter dominance from Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. But the first shakedown of the new cars at Jerez was nothing short of humiliating.

On the first day, only 93 laps were completed between the teams. Lotus did not attend, Marussia did not build their car in time and McLaren did not get out of the garage to complete a single lap.

In fact, it was over two hours before Hamilton completed the first flying lap of the session. After 18 laps, his Mercedes suffered front wing failure and hit the wall.

As per The Race, it was ‘inconceivable’ that the cars would be ready for the first race of the season just six weeks later after the ‘PR disaster’ in Jerez. But as it happens, 15 cars finished the Australian GP.

It is unlikely that such an embarrassment will happen on that scale in 2026, but the nightmare of 2014’s first test must not be repeated.

F1 have taken steps to prevent that by closing the doors of the Catalunya circuit. But if the cars are in fact underperforming, which drivers have been critical of in the past, it will not look good for the championship.

READ MORE: Even Adrian Newey can’t undo the biggest mistake Aston Martin have made with their 2026 car

Tensions are already rising among the teams about the 2026 regulations

Rumours have already suggested that Mercedes will have the best power unit in 2026. They have been quick to play down the speculation, but they could be at an advantage.

Mercedes and Red Bull have found a loophole in the regulations with the compression ratio of the combustion engine. This could increase the output of the power unit by 20 horsepower, giving them a sizeable advantage over their rivals.

Naturally, the rest of the field are not happy. Ferrari are already planning a protest at the season opener in Melbourne, with Maranello being ‘up in arms’ over the issue.

Each team will scrutinise the regulations as much as possible as they look to build a championship-winning car. Where anyone stands is a total guess at this point, but everyone will get more of an idea when the cameras are turned on in Bahrain in February.