F1 Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 1 Driver Lineup Revealed
Max Verstappen will drive all day for Red Bull as Formula 1's 2026 pre-season testing begins in Bahrain. Williams finally runs its new car with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, while most other teams, including McLaren and Ferrari, will split duties between their drivers across the day's sessions.
The 2026 Formula 1 season officially kicks off with the first day of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, revealing which drivers will be tasked with putting the new cars through their initial paces. Max Verstappen will handle a full day for Red Bull, while Williams finally hits the track after missing the Barcelona shakedown.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing provides the first true glimpse of each team's competitive potential and reliability. The chosen driver schedules offer early insights into team strategies, development priorities, and how rookies are being integrated. For Williams, this session is particularly critical as it marks their first real-world running of the new car.
The Details:
The three-day test runs from February 11-13, with days split into morning and afternoon sessions. Teams have confirmed their driver allocations for the opening day.
- Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen is scheduled for driving duties all day, meaning reserve driver Isack Hadjar sits out the first day.
- Williams: After missing the Barcelona test due to unready components, the team makes its season debut. Carlos Sainz will drive in the morning, with Alexander Albon taking over in the afternoon.
- Split Duties: Unlike Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari will split running between their drivers. Lando Norris is set for his first laps of the year in the afternoon session for McLaren.
- Full Day One Lineup:
- Morning Session: Verstappen (Red Bull), Oscar Piastri (McLaren), George Russell (Mercedes), Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), Sainz (Williams), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls), Esteban Ocon (Haas), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac).
- Afternoon Session: Verstappen (Red Bull), Norris (McLaren), Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), Albon (Williams), Stroll (Aston Martin), Nico Hulkenberg (Audi), Lindblad (Racing Bulls), Ocon (Haas), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Sergio Perez (Cadillac).
What's Next:
Following this initial three-day test, teams will have a short break before returning to Bahrain for the final pre-season test from February 18-20. The data and feedback gathered on this first day will be crucial for initial setup directions and identifying any immediate areas for improvement before the competitive sessions begin.