Live: 2026 F1 Bahrain Pre‑Season Test – Day 1

The second pre‑season test for the 2026 Formula 1 season began at the Bahrain International Circuit, and for the first time the three‑day session will be streamed live from start to finish. After a low‑key shakedown in Barcelona and a limited‑access Bahrain test last week, teams now have the chance to showcase their new power units, aerodynamics and tyre strategies under race‑like conditions.

Why it matters:

A strong performance in Bahrain can set the tone for the season‑opening Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, giving teams early validation of the 2026 technical regulations and a morale boost for their development programmes.

The details:

• Full live feed: All three days of testing will be streamed, a first for pre‑season sessions.
• Fastest lap: Mercedes’ rookie Kimi Antonelli posted a 1:31.0 on his opening run.
• Most laps last week: Williams completed 540 laps, highlighting reliability.
• Aston Martin: Struggling with cooling and floor development after a weak start.
• Front‑runners: Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren continue swapping sector times, with no clear leader emerging.
• Tyre work: Pirelli provided the 2026 spec C3, C4, C5 compounds, and teams are gathering degradation data ahead of the first race.

What's next:

Day 2 will see teams focus on long‑run race simulations, while the final day is expected to be a “push” for qualifying‑trim performance. Keep an eye on how the new power‑unit maps evolve, especially for Ferrari and Red Bull, as those upgrades could shape the early championship battle.