Wednesday, 11 February 2026| United Arab Emirates| PUBLISH TIME: 3:57 pm

2026 F1 pre-season testing has officially begun, and the world’s eyes are on the Bahrain International Circuit. As the sport enters a revolutionary era of technical regulations, the first morning of the Bahrain Test One 2026 provided a fascinating glimpse into the future of racing.

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2026 F1 Pre-Season Testing; Verstappen Dominates First Morning in Bahrain

2026 F1 pre-season testing is the ultimate proving ground for the most radical car designs in a generation. With 11 teams hitting the track, the morning session of day one in Sakhir saw four-time world champion Max Verstappen reclaim his spot at the top of the timing sheets, signaling that Red Bull’s RB22 is a formidable contender for the title.

Verstappen Tops the Timesheets at F1 Bahrain Test

This section analyzes the performance of top teams during the opening four hours of the 2026 test.

Max Verstappen set the pace during the first session of the Bahrain Test One 2026, clocking a 1:35.433 on medium tires. While the session was mostly about gathering data, Verstappen’s ability to complete 65 laps, more than a full race distance, shows incredible reliability for the new Red Bull power unit. Oscar Piastri followed closely in second for McLaren, just 0.169s adrift, while George Russell secured third for Mercedes.

• Verstappen’s Lead: Fastest lap of 1:35.433 set in the second hour.
• The Debutants: Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto (8th) and Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas (9th) made their official track debuts.
• Ferrari’s New Era: Lewis Hamilton finished 4th in his first public outing for Ferrari, despite a minor spin at Turn 1.
• The Red Flag: Alpine’s Franco Colapinto caused the only stoppage of the morning after his car halted between Turns 7 and 8.

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Bahrain Test; day one am times

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1m35.433s, 65 laps
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 1m35.602s, 54 laps
3. George Russell (Mercedes) 1m36.108s, 56 laps
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 1m36.433s, 52 laps
5. Esteban Ocon (Haas) 1m37.169s, 64 laps
6. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) 1m37.945s, 75 laps
7. Carlos Sainz (Williams) 1m38.221s, 77 laps
8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) 1m38.871s, 49 laps
9. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) 1m39.646s, 49 laps
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 1m39.883s, 33 laps
11. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) 1m40.330s, 28 laps

How to Evaluate F1 Testing 2026 results?

A guide to interpreting the lap times and why they don’t always reveal the true winner.

When looking at the f1 testing results from Bahrain, it is important to remember that teams are not always chasing pure speed. Many variables, such as fuel loads and engine modes, can drastically change the appearance of the leaderboard.

• Sandbagging: Teams like Ferrari or Mercedes often hide their true pace to avoid showing their hand to rivals early.
• Fuel Weight: A car carrying a full tank (100kg) can be up to 3 seconds slower per lap than a car on a “glory run” with low fuel.
• Active Aerodynamics: 2026 marks the debut of X-Mode and Z-Mode; teams are spending hours calibrating these movable wing systems.

Reliability vs. Speed: Why Laps Matter Most

Why engineers focus more on the odometer than the stopwatch during the first F1 Bahrain test.

In 2026 F1 pre-season testing, the most valuable currency is track time. Teams are running entirely new 50/50 power units (split between electric and internal combustion) and 100% sustainable fuels. High mileage is the only way to ensure these systems can survive a desert race.

• Mileage Leaders: Carlos Sainz (Williams) topped the charts with 77 laps, a massive boost for the team after missing the Barcelona shakedown.
• Rookie Watch: Arvid Lindblad, the sole rookie on the grid, completed a solid 75 laps for Racing Bulls.
• Data Gathering: Every lap provides cooling data that is crucial for upcoming races in hot climates, including the season finale in the UAE at Abu Dhabi.

FAQ

1. Is Max Verstappen the favorite after topping day one? While he is fast, f1 testing times are deceptive. We won’t know the true pecking order until the Australian Grand Prix qualifying.

2. Why are the 2026 cars slower than the 2025 cars in testing? The new 2026 regulations focus on sustainable fuels and smaller chassis, which initially results in slower lap times as teams refine the power delivery.

3. What is the significance of the Bahrain Test One 2026? It is the first of two three-day tests in Bahrain. It allows teams to “stress test” their cars in extreme heat before the season starts in March.

Conclusion

The first morning of 2026 F1 pre-season testing has proven that the new era of Formula 1 is as unpredictable as it is exciting. With Verstappen leading the charge and new manufacturers like Audi and Cadillac finding their feet, the foundation for a historic season has been laid. Stay tuned as we continue to track every lap and technical update from the desert.

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