P1 with Matt and Tommy Our reaction to the first SECRET F1 test in 2026
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Jan 26, 2026 A heated take on a mysteriously staged Barcelona shakedown and whether secrecy helped or harmed the sport. They dig into leaked timing feeds, photographers’ spycraft, and limits on team photos. Early visual reads on car designs and surprise running patterns spark questions about reliability and strategic choices across the grid.
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Secrecy Backfires On Fan Engagement
- F1's extreme secrecy around the Barcelona shakedown felt pointless and backfired by driving fans to find leaks.
- Matt Gallagher argues hiding tests creates more misinformation and fuels obsessive snooping.
Hype Versus Control Creates Embarrassment
- Tom Bellingham says F1 hyped the shakedown but then tried to control the narrative, which looked embarrassing.
- He notes modern tech and fan obsession make a truly secret test unrealistic in 2026.
Leaked Timings From Soy Motor
- Matt reads Soy Motor's leaked timings and lap order, showing partial public data despite the clampdown.
- He emphasizes that single-day times reveal almost nothing about season performance.