The Race F1 Podcast What we learned on day 1 of F1's frustrating private test
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Jan 26, 2026 Reporters describe a heavily locked‑down Barcelona test with tight security and limited sightlines. They list which teams ran, who logged the most laps, and which car set the early benchmark. Technical talk covers Audi integration, gearboxes, compression ratio chatter, and first impressions of the new cars’ looks and sounds. They argue the closed format was a missed PR opportunity for F1.
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Chased From Public Viewpoints
- Jon Noble described being chased around public viewpoints by security while trying to watch testing at the Barcelona track.
- He and other journalists were repeatedly moved from vantage points despite staying within public areas and not attempting to trespass.
Flatbed Driver Tried To Peer Over Wall
- Edd Straw recounted a man stopping his flatbed truck to try and peek over the wall at the track.
- The man tiptoed on the tilt bed, realised he could not see, and drove off embarrassed.
Closed Test Undermines Fan Messaging
- Edd Straw argued that holding the group test behind closed doors projected a confused message about F1 valuing fans.
- He said the lockdown wasted a storytelling opportunity to showcase the new cars and teams' progress to the public.