F1 2018 begins at Barcelona test

The 2018 Formula One season is finally upon us, with teams up and down the grid firing up their newly unveiled challengers and taking part in the first of two four-day tests at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Monday.

F1 has travelled to Spain for its traditional pre-season glimpse at what is to come in the campaign ahead.

There was an early win for Honda. They beat everyone out on track as Brendon Hartley took the Toro Rosso for an early spin, but the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari were not far behind.

The Italian squad began Monday by unveiling their new car, while Force India also broke cover on their 2018 effort, another pretty in pink affair.

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For the first time in 2018... OFF WE GO!@NMazepin takes the VJM11 and it feels like we’ve never been away! #PinkRedefined pic.twitter.com/016A37klK7 — Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) February 26, 2018

Fans of Red Bull's 'camouflage' livery will also have been disappointed to see the more traditional colours return to Daniel Ricciardo's car.

Matte is where it's at, for 2018 ????
The #RB14, ready to race ???? https://t.co/ZVxOM5VmOL pic.twitter.com/eXDgOg5cx0 — Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 26, 2018

Both Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton will take to the wheel for constructors' champions Mercedes on Monday, with Kimi Raikkonen on duty for Ferrari.

Much attention will be on Fernando Alonso in the McLaren, with a new Renault engine in the back.