F1 2026 Pre-Season Testing Kicks Off in Bahrain with Red Bull Setting the Pace
The 2026 Formula 1 season is on the horizon, and pre-season testing in Bahrain has commenced with a three-day session that offers a crucial glimpse into the competitive landscape. As teams adapt to a complete overhaul of regulations, the opening day at the Bahrain International Circuit provided early insights, though lap times remain speculative at this stage.
Norris Tops Timesheets, but Verstappen's Consistency Draws Attention
Reigning world champion Lando Norris of McLaren posted the fastest lap on day one with a time of 1:34.669, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who clocked 1:34.798. However, Verstappen's performance extended beyond mere speed; he completed an impressive 136 laps, the highest of any driver, demonstrating Red Bull's reliability and endurance.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged Red Bull's strong showing, stating they had "set the benchmark" with Verstappen's straight-line speed. McLaren CEO Zak Brown echoed this sentiment, noting that the "big four" teams—McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari—appear to maintain their dominance at the front of the grid.
Audi's Radical Design and Team Struggles Highlight Testing Drama
Audi captured attention with a radical new sidepod design, featuring narrower and more vertical elements than previously showcased at their car launch. This innovation underscores the technical adjustments teams are making in response to the new regulations.
Conversely, Aston Martin faced challenges on day one. Lance Stroll managed only 36 laps, the fewest among all drivers, indicating potential reliability issues with their Adrian Newey-designed car, which had earlier stirred excitement with its unorthodox features.
Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari expressed concerns about his team's race engineer upheaval, suggesting it could be "detrimental" to his chances as the season approaches. The first race is scheduled for 8 March in Australia, adding urgency to these testing sessions.
Day One Timesheet and Lap Count Analysis
The final timesheet for day one revealed a mix of speed and stamina. Esteban Ocon of Haas was the only other driver besides Verstappen to exceed 100 laps, with 115. Williams demonstrated strong teamwork, with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon combining for 145 laps, showcasing their car's durability.
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:34.669, 58 laps
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:34.798, 136 laps
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:35.959, 80 laps
- Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:35.578, 115 laps
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:35.602, 54 laps
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:36.108, 56 laps
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:36.433, 52 laps
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:36.765, 49 laps
- Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 1:36.861, 73 laps
- Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:37.437, 68 laps
Other notable performances included Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes with 1:37.629 over 30 laps, and Sergio Perez of Cadillac at 1:38.828 with 58 laps.
Looking Ahead to Day Two and Beyond
As testing continues, teams will focus on gathering data and refining their setups. While lap times offer a snapshot, the true test lies in consistency and adaptation to the new regulations. With the season opener in Australia fast approaching, every moment on track is critical for fine-tuning performance and strategy.
Stay tuned for further updates as the F1 2026 pre-season unfolds in Bahrain, shaping the narrative for what promises to be a transformative era in the sport.
