THE BIG PICTURE AFTER THE FIRST TESTS

The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship has officially fired up its engines at the Bahrain International Circuit, with the first three-day collective test session set to continue next week, again in Sakhir. It marked the first real contact with a new generation of single-seaters, born under a technical regulation that — in truth — appears to have significantly tightened design freedom. A new era has begun, but one shaped by stricter boundaries.

From the large amount of data already available, a few early indications have emerged. In particular, looking not only at internal Ferrari information but also at Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing, some well-defined technical personalities are beginning to take shape — and they deserve an initial reflection.

McLaren: balance and absolute precision

The car that impressed me the most was the McLaren. The MCL40 conveys a rare sense of composure: stable, precise, almost surgical in its movements. On the lap that put Lando Norris at the top of the Day 1 timesheets, the straight-line deficit compared to the other top teams was evident, but it was repaid with interest in the technical sections, especially in the slow corners.

The MCL40 stands out for its remarkable balance and mechanical harmony. What stands out once again is the extremely limited steering angle usage: the car responds to the smallest input, rotates immediately, and maintains a solid, progressive rear end. The apex is naturally hit in both slow and high-speed corners, and on corner exit the throttle can be applied early without abrupt reactions. It is a car that seems to work “with” the driver, not against him. Simply put, it was a pleasure to watch.

Mercedes: solidity without excess

Mercedes, for its part, confirms itself as an extremely well-rounded car. It does not visibly excel in one single area, but neither does it show clear weaknesses. It is the definition of controlled consistency. The classic “very good everywhere” machine, capable of offering reassuring balance.

Compared to Ferrari and McLaren, it uses more steering angle and appears less direct on corner entry. The apex is still reached consistently, but particularly in slow corners it requires more work at the wheel. In high-speed sections, it shows a slight tendency toward understeer — a trait that may make it less spectacular but more neutral and predictable at the limit. A solid foundation on which to build.

Red Bull: a more complicated start

The less positive surprise comes from Red Bull. Beyond an apparent straight-line advantage — particularly noticeable on Day 1 and explainable by variables such as fuel loads, engine modes, or energy deployment — it was drivability that raised some concerns.

The main issue appears to be balance through the corner. The car displayed marked understeer, especially in fast corners. Mid-corner, Max Verstappen seemed forced to wait before getting back on the throttle, with the car tending to run wide before suddenly transitioning into oversteer on exit. In slow corners, the apex was frequently missed, forcing wider and less efficient lines. In the technical sections, Red Bull currently looks a step behind its direct rivals.

Overall, it remains a competitive package, especially if the straight-line advantage proves real, but in the twisty sections it seems, for now, slightly lacking. A curious situation, considering how traditionally demanding Verstappen is regarding front-end response.

Ferrari: mechanics at the heart of the project

As for Ferrari, from what can filter out beyond the walls of Maranello, the car has delivered very encouraging signals. Lap times and long runs suggest as much, but it is the technical philosophy that stands out most clearly. At the launch, I had already hinted at a single-seater built around mechanical grip, accepting some aerodynamic compromises. The first track sessions confirm that mechanical grip is the core of the concept.

The SF-26 is honest and competitive, though less “easy” than the McLaren. The overall behavior is similar; however, the rear end of the red car is slightly less planted and progressive. Nothing dramatic, but enough to require a few extra corrections on corner entry. If its traits are properly refined, this Ferrari could be extremely effective on traction-dependent circuits.

Only the beginning of a journey

It is essential to remember that we are witnessing the very first miles of completely new cars. Every team is still building its references, exploring engine maps, setups, and simulator-to-track correlations. The power units will play a central role in this new technical cycle, and the pecking order could evolve quickly.

One consideration remains: when facing such an unprecedented project, it is difficult to fully “hide.” To truly understand a car’s potential, teams must push, experiment, and take calculated risks.

We are only at the dawn of the season, yet the first technical personalities are already beginning to emerge. And, as always, the track will deliver the final verdict.

© Simone Marchetti Cavalieri