James Vowles has one ‘question’ about Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car after watching testing

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James Vowles and Williams weren’t present at F1’s Barcelona Shakedown last week, but they were naturally keeping a close eye on their competitors.

Williams had trouble passing FIA crash tests, so Vowles took the decision to skip the test. The team hope to arrive in Bahrain midway through next week fully prepared.

Encouragingly for Vowles, Williams’ engine suppliers Mercedes were arguably the standout performers of the test. They were the only team to complete over 500 laps.

Barcelona shakedown complete ✅ Which team has surprised you the most? 👇

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Ferrari were second, notching 440 laps, and Lewis Hamilton ended the final day by setting the fastest lap of the week, a 1:16.348.

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli picked out Ferrari as one of the top teams in Montmelo.

James Vowles hints at doubts about Ferrari’s ultimate pace

Despite Hamilton’s late salvo, Vowles said there are still questions about the speed of the SF-26. He did credit Ferrari for completing the test without any major issues, though.

For Vowles, the two big success stories were Red Bull, who logged over 600 laps on their first power unit with the help of Racing Bulls, and Mercedes.

Only red flags caused by other teams restricted Mercedes’ running. They were able to begin race simulations almost immediately, an ominous indication of their progress.

“I’ve been really impressed with Red Bull, especially on the power unit side,” Vowles said at Williams’ Tuesday launch, via The Race. “To do a power unit from scratch and turn up to be that reliable is mighty. Well done to them.

“Number two, Ferrari’s consistency. Perhaps the outright pace is in question, but the consistency is really impressive for them again from the get-go. 

“And Mercedes always. I’ve been there for a long time, they’re very good at getting regulation change right and walking out with a package that’s just robust and reliable. But if you are doing a race sim just about a day into testing, it’s very, very impressive.”

Could Williams beat Ferrari at the start of the 2026 F1 season?

Flavio Briatore has no doubt that Mercedes have ‘the best’ engine for the new regulations. He was only interested in buying a power unit from Brixworth when he decided to scrap the Alpine works operation.

Vowles spoke about Mercedes, his former team, with a similar degree of confidence. World champions McLaren are also customers.

If Mercedes’ widely-publicised fuel trick is as powerful as predicted, then Williams could feasibly leapfrog Ferrari and Red Bull in the pecking order, assuming the consequences of missing Barcelona aren’t overly severe.