The opening four days of the Formula One Barcelona shakedown have already painted a surprisingly clear picture of how prepared each team is for the 2026 season.
While testing times remain unofficial and largely meaningless, mileage never lies — and the lap count table from the first block of running shows a striking divide between the well‑oiled operations and those still wrestling with early‑season gremlins.
Mercedes leads the way with commanding reliability
With 500 laps and 2,328.50 km completed, Mercedes has been the undisputed mileage leader. The team approached the shakedown with a clear objective: accumulate as much data as possible on the new power unit and chassis package.
Their programme ran with almost clinical precision, allowing them to log more laps than some midfield teams combined.
This level of reliability is not just a confidence boost — it gives Mercedes a vast dataset to refine setup directions before the official pre‑season test begins.
Racing Bulls and Ferrari form the chasing group
Behind Mercedes, a second cluster of teams emerged. Racing Bulls surprised many by finishing the week with 319 laps (1,485.58 km), comfortably ahead of Ferrari, who logged 297 laps (1,383.13 km). Both teams appeared well‑prepared, with only minor interruptions.
Ferrari’s mileage is particularly noteworthy given their extensive aero correlation work. The team seemed focused on long‑run consistency rather than headline numbers, and the lap count suggests they executed their plan without major setbacks.
Haas, Red Bull, and Alpine in the midfield mix
The midfield group showed a more fragmented picture. Haas completed 196 laps, a respectable total for a team often using shakedowns to validate fundamental systems. Red Bull and Alpine both ended on 185 laps, indicating that neither team enjoyed a completely smooth week.
For Red Bull, the limited mileage is unusual compared to their typically robust pre‑season preparations. Alpine, meanwhile, continued to work through integration issues with their revised power unit layout.
McLaren, Cadillac, and Audi struggle for rhythm
The lower half of the table reflects a trio of teams whose programmes were repeatedly disrupted: McLaren: 121 laps (563.50 km), Cadillac: 110 laps (512.27 km), and Audi: 95 laps (442.42 km).
McLaren’s running was hampered by reliability concerns that forced long garage spells. Cadillac and Audi, both still refining their operational structures, faced a mix of mechanical and procedural setbacks that limited their track time.
Aston Martin’s difficult start
The most dramatic figure in the table belongs to Aston Martin, who managed just four laps — a mere 18.63 km. The team arrived late due to unresolved build issues and never recovered enough time to conduct meaningful running.
While shakedown mileage is not always representative of true performance, such a low total inevitably raises questions about their readiness for the season ahead.
