F1 | Bahrain pre-season testing – Stay protection day 2: motion continues at Sakhir
After a primary day full of useful classes for all 11 Method 1 groups, consideration now turns to day two of pre-season testing in Bahrain. The opening session will get underway from 8:00 to 12:00 native time, as groups return to the monitor on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit to proceed refining their 2026 challengers. Comply with our Stay protection to remain up to date with the newest developments and key moments from the Sakhir paddock.
Yesterday marked the official begin of the 2026 Method 1 season, with the primary full day of pre-season testing happening at Sakhir. Throughout eight hours of on-track operating — break up between morning and afternoon classes — groups gathered essential information on reliability, stability and total behaviour of the new-generation 2026 automobiles. Early protagonists included McLaren, Ferrari and Pink Bull, whereas others, together with Mercedes, are aiming to make rapid progress as a way to keep away from shedding floor to the front-runners.
Day one recap
The quickest lap of the day was set by Lando Norris, who posted a 1:34.669 throughout the afternoon session. Simply behind him was an ever-consistent Max Verstappen, who accomplished a formidable 131 laps total, underlining Pink Bull’s robust begin. Charles Leclerc secured third place for Ferrari, reinforcing the constructive early impressions from the Maranello-based squad.
Esteban Ocon delivered an encouraging efficiency for Haas, ending fourth, forward of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren. It was a productive opening day for a number of midfield groups, who targeted closely on mileage and correlation work fairly than chasing outright lap time.
At Mercedes, George Russell accomplished 56 laps and completed sixth with a greatest time of 1:36.108. His programme centred primarily on information assortment and fine-tuning the stability of the brand new W17. The afternoon proved extra difficult for Kimi Antonelli, whose operating was disrupted by a suspension concern that restricted the Italian rookie to eleventh place on the timesheets.
Lewis Hamilton loved a stable seasonal debut with Ferrari, ending seventh with a 1:36.433 after finishing 52 laps. It was a gradual introduction to the SF-26 in aggressive testing circumstances. Against this, Aston Martin endured a tough day, with Lance Stroll hampered by a Energy Unit drawback. Alpine additionally confronted setbacks, as Franco Colapinto stopped on monitor throughout the morning session, triggering interruptions.
Though lap instances stay largely indicative at this stage of testing, the primary day already prompt a comparatively balanced image among the many prime groups. The following two days of operating will likely be essential in shaping a clearer understanding of the aggressive order forward of the opening race of the 2026 Method 1 season, now just some weeks away.
Feb 12, 2026
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