Teams use FP1 to test reserves, gather 2026-regs data at Barcelona
Summary
Teams are using Friday FP1 at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix to run reserve and junior drivers for talent evaluation and to collect setup and performance data under the new 2026 regulations. These short, purpose-driven outings let engineers gather live-weekend data while keeping confirmed race seats unchanged.
McLaren confirmed 21-year-old Leonardo Fornaroli, the reigning FIA F2 champion, will make his FP1 debut, taking Lando Norris’s MCL40, car 67. The brief session follows extensive simulator work, prior Testing of Previous Cars outings with McLaren and on-track testing; it will allow engineers to collect setup and performance data and evaluate Fornaroli in a live weekend environment. Fornaroli, who joined McLaren’s driver development programme in December 2025 and was promoted to a reserve role in 2026, said he was "very excited." McLaren framed the run as a typical step from F2 toward on-track F1 experience, and Invicta Racing boss James Robinson publicly backed Fornaroli as a likely candidate for a future race seat.
Cadillac confirmed Colton Herta will make his FP1 debut for the Cadillac entry, standing in for Sergio Pérez. Cadillac said Herta prepared with simulator time in Charlotte and team sessions at Silverstone and Barcelona; Herta said his aim is a clean session to gather data and acclimate to the car while he continues his F2 campaign with Hitech.
Williams announced reserve Luke Browning will run Alex Albon’s FW48 in Barcelona — his first outing in a 2026-regulation car and part of mandatory rookie running and broader evaluation. The 24-year-old has three prior FP1 appearances, races in Super Formula with Team Kondo, and, according to Williams, is scheduled to run Carlos Sainz’s car in FP1 at the Austrian GP later in the season.
Teams described these Friday programmes as low-risk ways to prepare race weekends, collect setup information under the new rules and give practical seat time to potential future race drivers without altering confirmed race seats.