Bahrain F1 pre-season test: Week 1 schedule and driver line-ups
The first 2026 F1 pre-season test begins in Bahrain today, launching a critical six-day on-track program. With drivers limited to just 1.5 days each in the new cars, teams face intense pressure to gather data on the latest technical regulations, including active aero, with broadcast coverage limited for this initial session.
The 2026 Formula 1 season kicks into gear today in Bahrain with the start of a crucial six-day pre-season test, split into two three-day sessions. Teams and drivers face a grueling schedule with limited cockpit time to master their new, sophisticated machinery before the opening race.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing is the only real opportunity for teams to validate their winter development work under representative conditions. With major regulation changes focusing on active aerodynamics and new power unit modes, these sessions are critical for uncovering reliability issues and finding a baseline setup. The limited track time—just 1.5 days per driver in the first test—puts immense pressure on teams to collect data efficiently.
The Details:
- The first test runs from Wednesday, February 11th, to Friday, February 13th at the Bahrain International Circuit. A second, three-day test follows next week from February 18th to 20th.
- Daily track action runs from 10:00 to 19:00 local time, with a mandatory one-hour lunch break from 14:00 to 15:00.
- Driver Line-up Strategy: Most teams are opting to split driving duties across the three days to maximize data collection with different drivers.
- Mercedes is giving its new signing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, significant mileage alongside George Russell.
- Red Bull has champion Max Verstappen scheduled for two days, with Isack Hadjar taking over for the full Thursday session.
- Williams and Audi are following a clear driver rotation between their race pairings (Sainz/Albon and Bortoleto/Hulkenberg, respectively).
- Limited Broadcast Coverage: For this first test, live TV coverage is minimal. UK viewers can only watch the final hour daily on Sky Sports F1. Full, wall-to-wall broadcast coverage is reserved for the second test next week. Live timing is available on F1.com throughout.
What's next:
The focus this week will be on system checks, reliability runs, and initial performance data collection. Teams will deliberately hide their true pace, making headline lap times largely irrelevant. The real work begins next week during the second test, where teams will transition into full race simulations and qualifying runs, offering the first genuine clues about the competitive order ahead of the season opener.