After months of anticipation, Formula 3 returns to action in 2026 with three crucial days of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Starting on February 10, all 10 teams will descend on the Spanish circuit, eager to lay the foundations for the season ahead. With the 2026 F3 season opener in Melbourne just around the corner, these pre-season testing sessions will provide a first look at the form of both the cars and the drivers, with plenty of questions still to be answered.
Key dates and timings for 2026 F3 pre-season testing in Barcelona
The testing period will take place over three days, from February 10 to 12, offering a total of 18 hours of on-track action. The timetable is structured to provide teams with ample opportunities to assess their performance in a variety of conditions.
- Days 1 & 2:
- Morning Session: 09:00 – 12:00 local time
- Afternoon Session: 14:00 – 17:00 local time
- Day 3:
- Morning Session: 09:00 – 12:00 local time
- Afternoon Session: 13:00 – 16:00 local time
Testing will take place exclusively on hard compound Pirelli tyres, allowing teams to focus on tyre performance, degradation, and endurance across different setups.
A crucial opportunity for teams and drivers
Pre-season testing is a key opportunity for teams to fine-tune their cars, test new components, and gain a competitive edge before the start of the season. For the drivers, it is a chance to get acquainted with their machines and adapt to the demands of F3, a high-pressure environment where every lap counts.
This year, the testing grid will feature a blend of experienced drivers and fresh talent, with 14 returning drivers set to rejoin the series. These seasoned competitors will look to pass on their knowledge to the newcomers, many of whom will be making their first appearance in F3 machinery.
However, not all of the 30 drivers present at pre-season testing will return to the grid in Melbourne. For pre-season testing, Campos Racing will field Patrick Heuzenroeder in place of Ernesto Rivera, who is recovering from a back injury. Similarly, Hitech will see Tim Tramnitz step in for Michael Shin, who sustained a shoulder injury over the winter. Both Rivera and Shin are expected to return when racing resumes.
Benchmark time and what to watch for
With all eyes on Barcelona, the fastest time from last year’s testing will act as a key benchmark: 1:26.618, set by Nikola Tsolov of Campos Racing. This lap time, posted during the second day of testing, will undoubtedly be in the back of everyone’s mind as teams look to improve their performance.
While the established drivers will have the advantage of experience, the rookies will be under pressure to prove themselves from the outset. With limited track time, the newcomers will have to make every lap count, as their performance will be closely scrutinised by their teams and the wider motorsport community.
Full driver line-up for 2026 F3 pre-season testing in Barcelona
The following drivers will be testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as part of the 2026 F3 pre-season testing:
- Campos Racing
1. Theophile Nael (FRA)
2. Ugo Ugochukwu (USA)
3. Patrick Heuzenroeder (AUS) (substituting for Ernesto Rivera) - Trident
4. Noah Stromsted (DEN)
5. Freddie Slater (GBR)
6. Matteo De Palo (ITA) - MP Motorsport
7. Mattia Colnaghi (ARG)
8. Tuukka Taponen (FIN)
9. Alessandro Giusti (FRA) - ART Grand Prix
10. Taito Kato (JPN)
11. Maciej Gladysz (POL)
12. Kanato Le (JPN) - Van Amersfoort Racing
14. Hiyu Yamakoshi (JPN)
15. Enzo Deligny (FRA)
16. Bruno Del Pino (ESP) - Rodin Motorsport
17. Pedro Clerot (BRA)
18. Brando Badoer (ITA)
19. Christian Ho (SGP) - PREMA Racing
20. Louis Sharp (NZL)
21. James Wharton (AUS)
22. Jose Garfias (MEX) - Hitech
23. Tim Tramnitz (DEU) (substituting for Michael Shin)
24. Fionn McLaughlin (IRL)
25. Jin Nakamura (JPN) - AIX Racing
26. Brad Benavides (USA)
27. Yevan David (SRI)
28. Fernando Barrichello (BRA) - DAMS Lucas Oil
29. Nicola Lacorte (ITA)
Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi (THA)
Gerrard Xie (CHN)
Looking ahead to Melbourne
As the testing days draw to a close, teams will begin to shift their focus towards the season opener in Melbourne on March 6-8. With so much at stake, the data gathered during these testing sessions will be pivotal for teams in making their final adjustments before heading to Australia.
For many drivers, Barcelona is their final chance to refine their setups and gain confidence behind the wheel. For the rookies, it’s a critical moment to prove their worth in a competitive field, while for the veterans, it’s about staying ahead of the pack and ensuring they’re ready for the challenge ahead.
