Four F1 Teams to Miss First Day of F1 Testing as Private Test Begins

A total of four Formula 1 teams are set to miss the first day of testing ahead of the 2026 campaign.

This week, preparation for the new season will ramp up with the first test being held behind closed doors at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Anticipation is at an all-time high after major changes were made to the technical regulations by F1's governing body, the FIA.

From 2026, F1 cars are set to be smaller, lighter and more agile, promising much closer on-track battles.

Meanwhile, there are also changes to the chassis, tyres, power units and fuel, making this arguably the biggest revamp the sport has ever seen.

On Monday morning, testing began in Barcelona, with four teams set to sit out the first day.

Last week, it was confirmed that Williams would sit out the entire Barcelona test.

A statement from the team read: "Atlassian Williams F1 Team has taken the decision not to participate in next week's shakedown test in Barcelona following delays in the FW48 programme as we continue to push for maximum car performance.

And the 2026 Shakedown is under way... 👀

Three teams waste no time in taking to the track!#F1 pic.twitter.com/nGNiHns8cs

— Formula 1 (@F1) January 26, 2026

"The team will instead conduct a series of tests including a VTT programme next week with the 2026 car to prepare for the first official test in Bahrain and the first race of the season in Melbourne. We are looking forward to getting on track in the coming weeks and want to thank all our fans for your continued support - there is a lot to look forward to together in 2026."

Meanwhile, according to F1 journalist Chris Medland, McLaren, Ferrari and Aston Martin will also miss the first day.

He wrote on social media: "Sounds like a pretty busy day in terms of teams on track. Seven look set to run today, with McLaren and Ferrari saying the plan isn’t until Tuesday or Wednesday, Aston believed to be similar, and Williams not at the shakedown at all."

The 2026 F1 season will begin in March with the Australian Grand Prix, taking place around Albert Park in Melbourne.