Formula 1 testing day 1: lap times picture a closer midfield than 2025
Formula 1

Formula 1 testing day 1: lap times picture a closer midfield than 2025

Newsroom desk Updated 16 Jul 2026

What we know

Day 1 of pre-season testing produced a tighter midfield than last season's data implied. We summarise the lap times and the reliability picture.

The detail

Five teams inside a tenth of a second at the top of the timing screens, with one of the smallest gaps between the lead car and the slowest car on track.

What happens next

Day 2 runs from 09:00 local. We'll publish a tactical note before the lunch break.

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