Bahrain F1 2026 second test: When is each driver in the car?
The final 2026 F1 pre-season test in Bahrain sees all drivers in action, but teams have different strategies for splitting track time. Aston Martin, Haas, and Alpine have confirmed their driver schedules, while most other teams' plans remain to be announced ahead of the three-day session.
The 2026 Formula 1 pre-season is drawing to a close, with the second and final Bahrain test this week offering teams their last chance to refine their new cars before the Australian Grand Prix in March.
Every driver on the grid will participate in the February 18-20 test, but team strategies for splitting track time vary. Some have opted to divide days between their drivers, while others will dedicate full days to a single driver. These plans remain fluid and could change based on run programs or if a driver needs to make up for lost mileage due to unforeseen issues.
Why it matters:
This final test is a critical data-gathering and development session before the competitive season begins. How teams allocate their limited track time between drivers can reveal their priorities—whether it's focusing on race simulations, fine-tuning setups, or giving rookies and new signees valuable seat time. The decisions made here can impact early-season performance.
The details:
- Aston Martin has a clear split: Lance Stroll will drive the Wednesday morning and all of Friday, while Fernando Alonso takes the Wednesday afternoon and all of Thursday.
- Haas is using a shared approach across all three days. Esteban Ocon is scheduled for the morning sessions, with Ollie Bearman taking over in the afternoons.
- Alpine plans for Pierre Gasly to run on Wednesday morning and all of Friday, with rookie Franco Colapinto in the car for Wednesday afternoon and all of Thursday.
- The schedules for the remaining teams—including McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, Williams, Racing Bulls, Audi, and Cadillac—are still to be confirmed (TBC).
What's next:
All eyes will be on the Sakhir circuit as teams complete their final preparations. The confirmed driver schedules provide a glimpse into initial run plans, but the real story will unfold in the lap times, long-run data, and reliability shown during these crucial three days. Once the test concludes, the focus shifts entirely to Melbourne and the start of the 2026 F1 World Championship.