Many teams used the opening day of F2 testing to focus on data gathering, but Noel León put Campos Racing at the top of the timesheets during the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship pre-season test in Barcelona.
The Mexican driver finished fastest on Day 1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, describing it as a very positive start for the team. However, León was quick to downplay the significance of the headline lap time, noting that teams ran different fuel loads and programmes throughout the day. For him, preparation for the opening round carries far greater weight than early recognition.
Strong performance by León on opening day of F2 Barcelona testing encourages Campos Racing ahead of 2026
León’s best effort, a 1:25.370 set during the afternoon session, placed Campos Racing at the top of the classification at the end of Day 1. Despite the result, the Mexican admitted that the lap itself was not entirely clean.
“It was a very positive day for the team,” León said after the session. “We completed the full programme and gathered a lot of information. The lap time was good, but it wasn’t the cleanest lap because of traffic.”
Cool morning conditions meant much of the early running centred on installation work and system checks. As temperatures rose, the team moved towards more representative performance runs. Understanding tyre warm-up and overall balance formed a key part of the programme, particularly with the characteristics of the new car still being explored.
“We are still learning about the car and how it reacts in different situations,” he explained. “There are things we can improve, but overall it was a strong start.”
Development focus key for León and Campos Racing
Topping the Barcelona timesheets inevitably attracts attention, yet pre-season testing rarely offers a clear picture of the competitive order. León acknowledged that variations in fuel loads, engine modes and run plans make direct comparisons unreliable at this stage.
Campos Racing approached the day with a structured development plan, incorporating long runs and set-up variations to establish a consistent baseline ahead of the opening round in Melbourne.
“The goal is to be ready for the first round,” León stated. “We are working step by step. There is still a lot to do over the next two days.”
His comments underline a pragmatic mindset. Rather than treating P1 as a statement of intent, León views it as evidence that the team’s winter preparation is progressing well. With traffic and evolving track conditions influencing lap times, caution remains essential when interpreting the raw figures.
For Campos Racing, the strong start provides encouragement rather than conclusions. Testing is a process of correlation and refinement — particularly in a fiercely competitive Formula 2 field where the margins are typically razor-thin.
