Leclerc tops disrupted Day 2 of 2026 F1 testing in Bahrain

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time on a chaotic second day of 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, where five red flags disrupted running and highlighted early reliability concerns for several top teams. The Ferrari driver's morning lap of 1:34.273 remained unbeaten through an afternoon punctuated by stoppages for Red Bull, Mercedes, and Alpine.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing is the first real-world stress test for new cars and power units, making widespread reliability issues a significant early warning sign. The frequency of red flags—especially for works teams like Mercedes and Red Bull—suggests the new 2026 technical regulations are pushing development to its limits, potentially foreshadowing a season where durability could be as crucial as outright pace.

The details:

• The day was bookended by problems for Mercedes and Alpine. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli managed only three laps in the morning due to a power unit issue, while Pierre Gasly's Alpine stopped at Turn 1 in the evening, ending his day after 97 laps.
• Red Bull's new RB22 also faced early trouble, with Isack Hadjar losing the morning session to a hydraulic leak. He returned for extensive running in the afternoon to make up for lost time.
• Despite the stoppages, lap counts were high for some. Leclerc, Lando Norris (McLaren), and Oliver Bearman (Haas) all surpassed 100 laps, with Ferrari conducting detailed aerodynamic analysis using flow-vis paint on different parts of the SF-26.
• Off-track, the performance gap was a major topic. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll stated his team needs to "find four seconds" of performance, a staggering deficit. Conversely, Williams Team Principal James Vowles highlighted the impressive straight-line speed of the new Red Bull power unit, noting a consistent six-tenths advantage into Turn 1.

What's next:

The final day of testing on Friday offers teams a last chance to gather data and attempt longer race simulations before the season opener next week. All eyes will be on whether Mercedes and Red Bull can resolve their reliability gremlins and if any team can challenge Ferrari's early pace. The true competitive order will remain shrouded in fuel loads and engine modes, but the battle for reliability is already fully underway.