F1 under fire as closed-door Barcelona testing squanders fan engagement opportunity

The pinnacle of motorsport faces renewed criticism over fan accessibility as Formula 1 prepares for one of the most significant regulatory overhauls in recent memory. Former F1 general manager Peter Windsor has condemned the decision to restrict access to pre-season testing in Barcelona, labeling the move “pathetic” and arguing that the sport is squandering a golden opportunity to energize the fanbase during the crucial build-up to the 2026 season.

With sweeping changes to aerodynamics, power units, and sustainability objectives transforming competitive machinery, F1 has expanded its testing window considerably. The 2026 pre-season will consist of three distinct test sessions across two venues, totalling 11 days of track time—a substantial increase from previous years. However, the structure of this testing programme has become contentious. The first phase, scheduled for January 26-30 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, comprises five days of private testing, conducted away from public view. Only the subsequent six days of official testing in Bahrain—held across February 11-13 and February 18-20—will be televised as standard.

Windsor's forceful critique: a massive missed opportunity

Windsor's criticism strikes at the heart of modern F1's ongoing struggle to balance competitive secrecy with fan engagement. Speaking on the Cameron CC YouTube channel, the former general manager articulated a compelling counterargument to the teams' decision. "It's a perfect opportunity to really sell F1 before the season starts," Windsor stated, emphasizing that the Barcelona test represents more than a mere technical shakedown. "It's a Formula 1 test and it's a great thing," he continued, contrasting it with limited-scale facility tests like those at Fiorano or Silverstone.

Windsor's vision for the event is ambitious yet tangible. He advocated for opening the test gates to tens of thousands of spectators daily, suggesting that 50,000 to 60,000 fans could realistically attend each day of testing. Beyond attendance, he proposed introducing hot lap demonstrations—a feature typically reserved for race weekends—and advocating for Pirelli to conduct promotional showcase runs, transforming a technical exercise into compelling spectacle. The combination would generate substantial pre-season momentum and provide unparalleled access to the revolutionary 2026 machinery before the competitive campaign commences.

The bigger picture: teams, secrecy, and strategic advantage

The decision to restrict Barcelona testing reflects a fundamental tension within Formula 1: the teams' understandable desire to protect proprietary development work versus the broader commercial and marketing imperatives of the sport. With a full regulations reset introducing new power units and aerodynamic philosophies, teams are naturally protective of their technical direction during initial shakedown phases. The private nature of the Barcelona test allows engineers and drivers to identify fundamental issues, explore setup correlations, and gather data without competitors observing their baseline performance and strategic approaches.

Yet Windsor's rebuttal carries undeniable weight. The contrast between the closed Barcelona test and the public Bahrain sessions underscores an arbitrary distinction. Both represent official F1 testing; both provide early competitive indicators; both offer audiences a preview of the new generation of cars. By restricting access to one while televising the other, F1 effectively denies fans what could be their first opportunity to witness these transformational machines in action under controlled, comparative conditions.

The precedent and industry standards

Historically, F1 has experimented with fan-accessible testing events, though such initiatives have been sporadic and inconsistently supported by teams. The decision to close Barcelona testing reflects institutional conservatism and teams' collective preference for protected development periods—a stance Windsor finds indefensible given the marketing value at stake.

"I have no sympathies for anything that they come up with later in the year if they have complaints about something, because it's totally wrong," Windsor remarked pointedly, suggesting that teams cannot simultaneously demand restrictions on access while complaining about lost sponsorship opportunities, reduced engagement, or public disinterest during critical seasons.

Looking forward: can F1 recalibrate?

As the 2026 season approaches with unprecedented technical complexity and the grid expanding to 11 teams and 22 drivers with the addition of Cadillac, maximizing fan engagement becomes strategically vital. The Barcelona test represents an unmissable platform to demonstrate the sport's commitment to accessibility and transparency—values increasingly important to modern audiences.

While the January 26-30 testing window remains private, the decision merits reconsideration for future seasons. Windsor's perspective articulates what many passionate fans likely feel: that F1, at its core, belongs to those who drive it, engineer it, and—crucially—those who support it from the grandstands and screens worldwide.