On January 28, 2026, in Barcelona, the reigning Formula One champion Lando Norris began his season preparations with his new McLaren, the MCL40. He reported a productive day after completing 77 laps during the shakedown test at the Circuit de Catalunya. This session marked the first opportunity for everyone to see the new car, which had only been assembled earlier that morning. Norris expressed his excitement about driving a car that bore the championship-winning number one tag, describing it as a surreal experience. Furthermore, he acknowledged the steep learning curve involved with the car's new features and performance characteristics. The testing event consists of a five-day period where teams can choose from three days of running time. McLaren deliberately opted to miss the first days to focus on development. This year, they debuted a temporary black livery and minimal updates are expected before their first race on March 8 in Australia. Norris's insights into the car's performance indicated some differences in cornering speeds, although he felt the car has improved acceleration and straight-line speed compared to previous models. This evolution emphasizes McLaren's goal to remain competitive during the upcoming season. In addition to Norris's progress, Mercedes engines proved reliable during this initial testing period. Notably, George Russell completed 92 laps and suggested that all objectives were met satisfactorily in terms of reliability and performance. Other teams also tested their vehicles, with varying levels of success; Alpine ran an impressive number of laps, while Haas faced some reliability issues. Audi's presence was also marked by technical complications, which delayed their runs. The entire event held significance not only for individual drivers but also for the teams involved, as it allowed them to gather critical data ahead of the competitive season. Norris's feedback about the complexities of the new power units reflects the broader trend toward advancing technology within the sport. This shakedown marks not just the start of testing but also sets the stage for the intense rivalry that will unfold as teams strive for the championship in the coming months.