SPOTTED: F1 TRANSPORTERS ARRIVE FOR BARCELONA TEST

Feb 21

The Formula 1 wheels are turning again, as the trucks roll up to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

One of Aston Martin’s Volvo FH race transporters in pit lane
Photo: Stephen Hewett

The most anticipated Formula 1 test in many years is just two days away, with all 10 F1 teams preparing to fire up their 2022 campaigns on the east coast of Spain.

The venue is the 4.65-kilometre Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló this week. And the equipment inside the transporters is the culmination of many thousands of hours of engineering and development in factories across Europe.

The gear has been progressively arriving in the team transporters since last week, and we’ve spotted a couple of changes to the rigs carrying it so far.

The biggest news story in transporter-land has been McLaren’s switch to Mercedes-Benz Actros prime movers this year. Speculation grew with a couple of new truck sightings at the Sparshatt Truck and Van Mercedes-Benz commercial dealership in Kent last month. This was confirmed late last week as McLaren’s equipment began rolling through the gates with Mercedes-Benz trucks doing the hard work up front.

McLaren’s trailers have had a freshen-up too, with all-new designs on its race transporters and motorhome trailers for 2022.

Speaking of updated wraps, we’ve also spotted some subtle differences to both the Ferrari and Alpine trailers, though the latter could change again depending on its new BWT title partnership.

The Red Bull Energy Station Crew fleet has also been bolstered by at least five brand-new DAF XG prime movers, which join its existing line-up of MAN and Renault trucks.

Stephen Hewett has been at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya since late last week, and he’s been snapping some great shots as the big rigs arrive. Check out some of Stephen’s exclusive shots below.