F1 2026 Pre-Season Testing: Bahrain Week Two Driver Lineups Revealed
F1 teams have outlined their driver plans for the second week of pre-season testing in Bahrain. The schedule reveals a strategic mix, with established stars like Verstappen and Hamilton sharing track time with rookies such as Antonelli and Hadjar, as all ten squads complete their final preparations under the new 2026 regulations.
Teams finalize their driver schedules for the crucial second week of pre-season testing in Bahrain, with a mix of race drivers and rookies set to gather the last pieces of data before the season opener in Australia. The extended testing period, a result of sweeping 2026 regulation changes, provides a final opportunity to solve reliability issues and find performance ahead of the first race.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing offers the first real glimpse of each team's competitive potential under the new regulations. The driver lineups, especially how teams split time between established stars and promising rookies, reveal strategic priorities for data collection and driver development. With the pecking order still a mystery, these three days in Bahrain could shape early narratives for the 2026 season.
The Details:
- The second and final week of testing runs from Wednesday, February 18th, to Friday, February 20th, at the Bahrain International Circuit.
- Most teams are employing a split-session approach, with one driver running in the morning (AM) and another in the afternoon (PM), to maximize track time and data gathering.
- Rookie Spotlight: Several teams are giving significant track time to their junior drivers and newcomers.
- Mercedes has entrusted a full day-and-a-half of running to highly-touted rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who shares the car with George Russell.
- Red Bull has reserved the entire first day for F2 champion Isack Hadjar, with Max Verstappen taking over on Thursday.
- Haas is splitting time evenly between Esteban Ocon and rookie Oliver Bearman.
- Audi (formerly Sauber) is running F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hülkenberg.
- Driver Moves on Display: The tests will offer the first official track appearances for high-profile driver transfers.
- Ferrari will run its new lineup of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, though their schedule for Thursday and Friday is still to be confirmed (TBC).
- Williams will run Alex Albon alongside its new signing, Carlos Sainz.
- Teams to Confirm: Ferrari and the new Cadillac F1 Team (formerly AlphaTauri) have yet to fully confirm their running plans for the latter part of the test.
What's next:
All eyes will be on the timing screens as teams transition from system checks to performance runs. While lap times must be treated with caution due to varying fuel loads and run plans, trends in long-run pace and reliability will start to form a preliminary picture of the competitive landscape before cars ship to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix on March 8th.