Ferrari not set to run on Day 1 of Barcelona Shakedown

Ferrari have confirmed that they are not intending to run during the opening day of the upcoming Barcelona Shakedown.

Following on from McLaren’s confirmation that they will start their own running on the second or third day of the week – which Team Principal Andrea Stella said is to allow “as much time as possible for development” – Fred Vasseur has now stated that the Scuderia will first take to the track on Tuesday.

However, the Frenchman acknowledged that this could potentially depend on how the weather conditions turn out during the five-day event, during which teams are permitted to run for three out of those five days.

Asked following Ferrari’s launch of the SF-26 about the squad’s programme for Barcelona, Vasseur answered: “The programme [is] that we are supposed to start on Tuesday, but then we’ll have to finetune with the weather forecast. So far it’s that we’ll start on Tuesday.”

The plan was also confirmed by Technical Director Loic Serra, who stated that the team are “planning to run on the second day”.

It comes after the Italian outfit’s 2026 challenger enjoyed its maiden running at Fiorano on Friday following the car’s unveiling, with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc getting behind the wheel for the shakedown.

Following this, the team will join most of their competitors at the Barcelona Shakedown from January 26-30.

There looks set to be one name missing, however, with Williams announcing that they will not take part in the event as they pursue “maximum car performance” for 2026.