Antonelli fastest, McLaren & Williams top mileage at 2026 Bahrain test

The first official 2026 pre‑season test took place in Bahrain, with all 11 teams on track. Mercedes’ Antonelli set the fastest lap (1:33.669) but logged the fewest laps, while McLaren and Williams topped mileage.

Why it matters:

The session offers the first look at how the sweeping 2026 rule package – new floor aerodynamics and a revised hybrid power unit – translates into performance. Teams that can combine speed with high mileage gain an early reliability edge, and early technical hiccups hint at potential reliability battles.

The details:

• Antonelli’s fastest lap: 1:33.669 (94 laps), 0.249 s quicker than teammate George Russell.
• McLaren and Williams logged the most mileage: 2,284 km each (422 laps).
• Mercedes logged the fewest laps (282) after Aston Martin; Honda’s power unit covered the least distance overall.
• Red‑flag incidents hit Alpine, Audi and Cadillac, underscoring early‑season reliability concerns.

What's next:

Armed with Bahrain data, teams will refine their setups for the new floor and hybrid package before the next shakedown in Barcelona. The mileage gap seen here could shape the early‑season hierarchy, especially as Mercedes‑powered outfits face off against Ferrari’s rising power‑unit performance.