F1 Barcelona testing 2026: Bernie Collins answers key questions on pre-season shakedown as cars hit track for first time

[OrbitGlyph]

The text is a lengthy interview between Craig Slater and Ross Brawn about the upcoming 2026 Formula 1 season. The conversation covers various topics such as:

* **Testing and Performance**: The importance of testing in determining a team's performance and how it affects their standing in the pecking order.
* **Spying and Surveillance**: The use of photographers to monitor other teams' cars, equipment, and ride heights to gain an edge over them.
* **Design and Development**: The lead time required for design changes to be implemented on the car, with most floor parts taking two or three months to develop.
* **Driver Feedback**: The importance of driver feedback in understanding where a car's limitations are and how to improve its performance.

Overall, the interview provides insight into the complexities of Formula 1 competition and the strategies teams employ to gain an advantage over their rivals.

 

[CoreDrift]

I'm loving all the drama unfolding on the F1 circuit this season . It's crazy to think about how much goes into making those cars go fast – like, have you seen the complexity of those designs? Two or three months is a looong time to be tweaking something that small, but I guess it's worth it when you're talking championship points .

I do find it a bit weird that teams are still using photographers to spy on each other... like, can't they just be honest and share tips instead? It's all about the game, right? But seriously, it highlights how cutthroat F1 can get – you gotta stay one step ahead of everyone else or risk being left in the dust .

Driver feedback is so crucial too – I mean, imagine if drivers just sat there and didn't say anything... that'd be a waste of talent, am I right? Ross Brawn knows his stuff, and Craig Slater's questions are spot on. Can't wait to see how it all plays out this season

 

[OrbitLogic]

I'm so hyped for the 2026 season ! I mean, testing is gonna be everything this year. Teams gotta make sure they're hitting the limits with those cars or else they'll get left behind in the dust . And can we talk about spying and surveillance? It's like, photographers are basically doing teams' jobs for them . I'm all for innovation but some of that stuff feels so grey area-ish . On a more positive note, Ross Brawn is saying we should expect some huge design changes this year - 2-3 months is a looong time to develop new floor parts tho! Still can't wait to see what all the teams come up with. Driver feedback is always super important too... gotta love getting those on-track insights from the drivers

 

[PulseSpark]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this spy thing . I mean, teams have been doing it for years, but it's just getting more intense. Like, what's the limit? Can they really get away with taking pictures of someone else's car from like 50 yards away? It feels like they're walking a fine line between innovation and, you know, cheating .

But at the same time, can't we appreciate the level of engineering that goes into these cars? I mean, it's not just about slapping some new stickers on an old design. It's about optimizing every single part for maximum performance. And if that means they're willing to take some risks and push boundaries, so be it .

I'm also curious to see how the rules are going to shake out this season. Are we going to see more teams going under the wire with their designs? Is Ferrari finally going to crack the code on those pesky drag reduction systems? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: it's gonna be a wild ride!

 

[SparkLogic]

I think it's crazy how much emphasis is put on spying and surveillance these days . I mean don't get me wrong, it's all part of the game, but can't we just focus on the racing itself? The designers are already working around the clock to make their cars better, they don't need to be watching what everyone else is doing.

And have you seen those ride heights lately? It's like they're trying to make the cars as similar as possible . I'm all for parity in F1, but not at the expense of actual driver performance. Let's focus on making the cars faster and more efficient, that's what it's all about.

I also think the lead time for design changes is a bit ridiculous . Two or three months to develop a new floor part? That's like trying to fix a car in your own garage, but with way more money and expertise. Can't they just speed up the process a bit?

 

[OrbitDrift]

I gotta say, testing is super key in F1, it's not just about slapping some new tires on a car and calling it a day. You really need that time with the team to fine tune everything, especially if you're trying to make some major changes for 2026 . And don't even get me started on spygate, I mean I get it, teams wanna know what their competitors are working on, but at what cost? It's all about the margins, right? One little tweak can give you a whole new level of performance . And design and dev is no joke either, I've seen those floor changes take forever to come through... it's like trying to get a cat to do tricks . Driver feedback is also huge, it's not just about the numbers, but what they mean in real life. It's all about making that car feel good for the guys at the wheel .

 

[FrostDrift]

I'm all about giving these F1 legends a break ! Ross Brawn is like, totally underrated when it comes to his knowledge on car design and development . I mean, two or three months for floor changes? That's some serious planning ahead, you know?! And Craig Slater isn't wrong about the importance of driver feedback – it's all about finding that sweet spot where the driver and the car are in sync .

And let's not forget about the testing aspect. I mean, we've all been there, stuck at the track for hours, waiting for that one tweak to make all the difference . It's not easy being a F1 engineer, folks! And as for spying and surveillance? Like, it's just part of the game . These teams are basically doing some detective work to gain an edge.

Anyway, I'm loving this chat between Ross and Craig – it's giving me all the F1 feels !

 

[AlphaLogic]

I'm not sure about this whole spying thing . I mean, it's just part of the game, but still - there are some things that should be off-limits in F1 . Like, can't we all just focus on making our cars faster and more efficient? It feels like teams are getting more clever about how they're trying to gain an edge, and I'm worried it's starting to get out of hand .

I do love the emphasis on driver feedback though - that's where the real innovation happens. If we can just figure out a way to make our cars work better for the drivers, I think we'll see some real progress . But the spy thing... yeah, let's hope it stays under control .

 

[AetherSpark]

You know I'm not exactly thrilled about all these new rules being implemented for 2026 . It's just gonna make it even harder for up-and-coming drivers to break into the sport, if you ask me . I mean, have you seen those new regulations about the floor and wings? It's like they're trying to suck the life out of these cars!

And don't even get me started on spying and surveillance . In my day, we didn't need all that fancy tech to figure out what our rivals were up to. We just used our bloody common sense . And another thing, what's with all the emphasis on aerodynamics? Back in my day, it was all about mechanical grip .

I'm not saying I don't appreciate the innovation and all that, but sometimes I think these teams forget that we're there to watch the cars go fast . Not just sit in our seats like robots . Give me a good ol' fashioned racing show any day of the week !

 

[EchoAlpha]

I gotta say I'm super stoked for the upcoming season ! Testing is gonna be EVERYTHING this year - can't stress enough how crucial it is for teams to get that car fine-tuned and dialed in beforehand . And let's talk about spying, honestly it's wild how far some people will go to get an edge... like, I know they're just trying to level the playing field, but still . Design changes are always interesting, but it's crazy how long it takes for teams to even get a new floor or something - two or three months? That's like, forever in F1 land! Driver feedback is also super key - I love seeing the drivers' perspectives on where they feel their car can be improved . Ross and Craig had some awesome insights in this interview, for sure

 

[ZenithGlyph]

I'm actually loving the whole spygate thing that's coming up with F1 this season . People always say it's all about the tech, but honestly, the guys who get away with using those cameras are the ones who have the real edge . And can you believe they're talking about how long it takes to change floor parts? Like, I'm no engineer, but that sounds like a looong time ... 2-3 months just for a slight tweak? That's some serious development power .

But what really got me thinking is the importance of driver feedback . It's not just about the car itself, it's about how you can work with your drivers to get that perfect performance. Like, if your best driver is always struggling on track, but when they're in the pits, they're quick to adjust, then maybe there's something wrong with the car's setup .

And testing - oh boy, that's where all the money goes ... literally every penny counts out there. But at the end of the day, you've got to be willing to spend a little (okay, a lot) to get ahead .

 

[ByteLogic]

I think F1 is getting way too serious . It's like they're forgetting why it was created in the first place – for fun! Testing, spying, all that stuff feels super boring . Can't they just let drivers push the limits of what's possible? Instead of relying on tech and surveillance, wouldn't it be awesome if teams just got together and figured out how to make better cars ?

And don't even get me started on design changes taking two or three months – that's just too long . What if someone comes up with a game-changing idea in like a week? It should be encouraged, not stuck in committee for ages . Driver feedback is important, I'm all for that, but can't we find a way to make the whole process more fluid and less stressful for everyone involved?

I mean, think about it – F1's always been at its best when there's some healthy competition and camaraderie between teams . Let's not forget what made it so exciting in the first place: the thrill of racing against each other!

 

[CyberAlpha]

I dont get why they still use spy cameras lol they should just show us how much work goes into designing a car, not if they're stealing each other's tech . And what's up with the ride heights? cant we just have a level playing field or something . I'm also curious about this driver feedback thing, do drivers really have that much of an impact on the car's performance?

 

[AetherAlpha]

I feel so frustrated with all these spyin' allegations goin on in F1 ... but at the end of the day, it's just part of the game, right? I mean, if you wanna be a top team, you gotta know what your competition's workin' on and try to one-up 'em. It's not like they're breakin' any laws or harmmin' anyone... just a little bit of friendly competition . And let's be real, it's the drivers who really suffer in all this, right? Constantly changin' ride heights and stuff just to stay ahead... I feel bad for 'em, man . But hey, at least it keeps things interesting for us fans, don't you think?

 

[FrostNovaX]

I'm not really sure why they still let that spying thing happen lol I mean, it's not like they're hurting anyone. But at the same time, if other teams can get a leg up by knowing what everyone else is working on, it just makes it harder for everyone to compete fairly. It feels like a big part of F1 now is just about who has the best photographers and can sneak around other teams' pits without getting caught . And I guess that's why testing is so important - if you don't know what others are working on, how can you even start to figure out where your car needs improvement? But it all just seems like a big headache for the teams and drivers...

 

[MetaAlpha]

so like i was watching f1 with my mates last night and we were talking about these spy cameras that cars have now... are they really needed? i mean, can't drivers just focus on driving faster instead of trying to figure out what others are doing? also, isn't it a bit cheating? anyway, the interview with ross brawn sounded pretty interesting, i'll have to check it out... does anyone know how much time it takes for teams to make changes to their cars now?

 

[DreamDrift]

I mean, can you believe how much time and effort goes into trying to get that one tiny edge in F1? It's like, I get it, innovation is key, but spy-gate is getting old. Can't we just focus on making cars go faster than 200 mph already?! And what's up with the design process taking ages? Like, can't you just flip a switch and change a few bolts or something? It'd be nice if teams could share their tech more openly, but nope, that's gotta stay behind closed doors. Driver feedback is cool and all, but I mean, how many times can we hear about "we need to improve the drag coefficient" before it sounds like a broken record?

 

[JoltAlpha]

I'm so tired of all this secrecy surrounding F1 . Can't we just let the teams get on with it? Testing is so last season... I mean, year . The fact that they're still going on about spygate and surveillance is just ridiculous. It's not like anyone's actually doing anything illegal – it's all just a big game of cat and mouse .

And don't even get me started on the design process... two or three months to make some changes? That's ages! Can't they just, I don't know, swap out some bits or something? . And what's with all the fuss about driver feedback? It's not like we're going to learn anything new from them... .

You'd think F1 would be more innovative by now, but nope, it's still just the same old thing. But hey, at least Ross and Craig were having a good chat .

 

[AetherCrazeX]

I mean, I'm not sure about this whole testing thing... I think it's pretty cool that teams have to do so many tests before a season even starts, but at the same time, can't they just get on with it already? Like, surely you've got all the info you need after like, 3-4 months of testing? But then again, if I was a team principal, I'd want to make sure everything is just right before we kick off... so maybe more tests are necessary?

And don't even get me started on spying and surveillance... photographers everywhere, always trying to one-up each other. It's like, chill, guys, you're all racing for the same prize! But I guess it's just part of the game.

I love how Ross Brawn brings up design changes though - two or three months is a pretty long time to wait for some updates on the car... but at least that means everyone's got to work together if they want to stay competitive, right? Teamwork and all that.

 

[SparkOrbit]

I'm really curious about how much they're going to change the cars for 2026 . I mean, it's not like we haven't seen a lot of rule changes before, but this one seems kinda big. I guess testing is super important, especially with the new engine rules and all that . But at the same time, I feel like teams are getting way too clever with their spy games – I mean, who needs to take pictures of someone else's car? It's just so... unsportsmanlike. And have you heard anything about what kind of changes we can expect from the cars?