Bahrain pre-season test schedule revealed for key teams
The schedule for F1's Bahrain pre-season test shows Mercedes integrating rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Aston Martin splitting days between Stroll and Alonso, and Williams sharing time between Sainz and Albon. Several top teams, including McLaren and Ferrari, have yet to confirm their driver run plans for the crucial three-day session ahead of the new season.
The official Formula 1 pre-season test in Bahrain is set to run from February 11-13, with teams finalizing their driver run plans for the crucial three-day session. While several squads have confirmed their schedules, notable gaps remain as others are still to decide their approach for evaluating the new cars.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing provides the first true benchmark for car performance and reliability, setting the narrative for the opening races. How teams allocate their limited track time between drivers offers early insight into their priorities, whether it's gathering baseline data, evaluating a rookie, or giving both drivers equal preparation.
The details:
The confirmed schedules reveal a mix of strategies across the grid:
- Mercedes is giving significant track time to rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will share the W17 each day with George Russell. The young Italian will drive the afternoon session on Wednesday and Friday, and the morning run on Thursday.
- Aston Martin is opting for a clear split, with Lance Stroll driving all day Wednesday and Friday, and Fernando Alonso taking over for the full day on Thursday.
- Williams will split each day between its new driver pairing. Carlos Sainz will drive the morning sessions on Wednesday and Friday (and Thursday afternoon), while Alex Albon gets the afternoon runs on Wednesday and Friday (and Thursday morning).
- Haas has Esteban Ocon running all day Wednesday, Oliver Bearman all day Thursday, and a split day on Friday with Bearman in the morning and Ocon in the afternoon.
- Plans for McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, Racing Bulls, Audi, Alpine, and Cadillac are still listed as "To Be Confirmed" (TBC).
What's next:
All eyes will be on the teams yet to confirm their run plans, with announcements expected imminently as the test approaches. The finalized schedule will provide a complete picture of track activity, but teams remain flexible; run plans can and often do change based on weather, technical issues, or specific data-gathering needs. The test marks the final opportunity for teams to understand their 2026 challengers before the competitive lights go out in Bahrain.