Sky F1 Cuts Back Live Coverage for Key Bahrain Pre-Season Test

Sky Sports F1 is significantly scaling back its live television coverage of the first pre-season test in Bahrain, moving away from the extensive, all-day broadcasts that have become standard. The broadcaster will now air only the final hour of each day's track action, opting for a condensed highlights and analysis format in the evening as teams begin critical testing under the shadow of major 2026 regulation changes.

Why it matters:

This shift represents a notable change in how a major broadcaster values and presents pre-season testing, a period of intense speculation and data-gathering for fans and teams alike. With the 2026 technical overhaul generating unprecedented interest, the decision to reduce live access prioritizes packaged editorial content over raw, unfiltered track time, potentially altering the fan experience and the traditional build-up to the new season.

The details:

• For the first Bahrain test (February 11-13), live coverage will be limited to the final hour of track running each day, starting at 15:00 GMT.
• The primary analysis will come in evening programming, with a Testing Wrap show at 20:00 GMT followed by Ted's Testing Notebook at 20:30 GMT, featuring Ted Kravitz's signature paddock insights.
• This follows a completely closed shakedown in Barcelona, meaning fans will have had very limited live viewing of the new cars before the season starts.
• The schedule for the second Bahrain test (February 18-20) remains unconfirmed, leaving open whether this streamlined approach will continue.

What's next:

The broadcaster's strategy for the second test will be closely watched, indicating whether this is a one-time adjustment or a new long-term approach to pre-season coverage. The move raises questions about accessibility and whether the depth of evening analysis can compensate for the loss of live, day-long immersion for dedicated fans, setting a precedent for how F1's preparatory phase is televised in the future.