Ferrari not set to run on Day 1 of Barcelona Shakedown

Ferrari will commence their Barcelona Shakedown program on Tuesday, as confirmed by team principal Fred Vasseur. This strategic decision aligns with McLaren's approach to delay their initial run, aiming to maximize development time for their 2026 challenger. While the exact start might be influenced by weather conditions during the five-day event (January 26-30), Technical Director Loic Serra reiterated the plan for a Tuesday debut. The SF-26 has already had its maiden run at Fiorano, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc getting a first feel for the new car. Notably, Williams will be absent from the Barcelona Shakedown, opting instead to focus on optimizing their car's performance for the upcoming season.