What happens during an F1 shakedown or filming day?

Teams are permitted two of these filming days each year. Until 2023, they could cover up to 100km (62 miles) in each, but that distance was doubled from 2024. On a circuit such as the Silverstone Grand Prix layout, drivers will now be able to complete up to 33 laps instead of 16.

Most teams use at least one of these days as a shakedown, while collecting video of the new year’s car as well.

Demonstration events

Teams can carry out up to two demonstration events per year, subject to FIA approval.

For demonstration events, running is limited to 15km with a current car and 50km with a previous car, as defined in the regulations.

What do F1 teams do during shakedowns/filming days? 

Over the permitted filming-day mileage, teams use shakedown running to pinpoint any early problems with a new car so fixes can be made at the circuit or fed back to the factory before the first major 2026 pre-season tests.

For 2026 this matters even more than usual because the new technical regulations mean every team is effectively running a substantially new package, so early reliability and systems validation is a priority before performance work begins.

Shakedowns can also be used to validate new components and baseline set-ups, and to help new drivers (or drivers in new teams) get initial seat time in a low-risk environment ahead of official testing. Shakedown pace is typically not representative: the priority is confirming that key systems (power unit, hydraulics, electronics, cooling, gearbox, sensors) operate correctly, rather than exploring outright performance.

To limit the sporting value of filming days, teams run on dedicated Pirelli demonstration/filming tyres intended to reduce meaningful tyre-data gathering compared with a race weekend. The footage captured is primarily for promotional use (team/F1 broadcast and digital content) and is often shared onward to media, which is why identical clips can appear across multiple outlets.

Teams must run the FIA-mandated electronic control unit and standard monitoring, allowing the FIA to verify compliance with the restrictions that apply to these promotional runs.

There are typically more allowances for running older cars than for current machinery, but the FIA’s framework is designed to prevent teams from using older-car running to evaluate brand-new components or software outside the regulated test environment.

Where do teams do their shakedown/filming days?

F1 teams are free to book almost any suitable circuit for their individual shakedown and filming days, but most choose venues close to their factories to simplify logistics.

Ferrari will typically run its new car at the Fiorano circuit next to its Maranello base, often giving the latest chassis a first outing there before heading to official pre‑season testing.

With its main base at Silverstone, Aston Martin usually conducts shakedowns on a shortened configuration of the British Grand Prix circuit, while other UK‑based teams such as McLaren, Williams and Mercedes also often use Silverstone or nearby British venues.

Continental European teams tend to stay closer to home, with operations such as Audi in Hinwil or Racing Bulls in Italy favouring tracks like Barcelona, Imola or Misano that are within relatively easy reach of their factories.

Who will drive the car during shakedowns/filming days?

Most of the 22 full‑time F1 race drivers will usually get at least some mileage in their new car before official pre‑season testing, although the exact running can depend on contracts, fitness programmes and how each team chooses to structure its filming days.

Since each team is allowed only a small number of promotional events with the current car, teams often either dedicate a full filming day to one driver, or split the running so that both race drivers can share the limited distance and compare first impressions.

Because shakedowns are about basic systems checks and reliability rather than outright performance, reserve and junior drivers are often kept on the sidelines on these days, with teams preferring to prioritise their race drivers’ feedback before the main pre‑season test.

2026 F1 testing schedule