F1 Teams Finalize Driver Lineups for Crucial 2026 Pre-Season Test in Bahrain
Teams have revealed their driver schedules for the first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, with Mercedes giving significant track time to junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The test runs from February 11-13 and is a crucial shakedown before the second test week and the season opener in Australia.
Formula 1 teams have confirmed their driver plans for the first official pre-season test of the 2026 campaign, set for February 11-13 in Bahrain. The three-day session will see most squads split running between their race drivers and reserve talents, with notable appearances from Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari's Oliver Bearman.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing provides the first true benchmark of a car's performance and reliability, setting the narrative for the upcoming year. How teams allocate their limited track time between established stars and promising juniors offers early insight into development priorities and driver program confidence ahead of a major new regulatory era.
The details:
The test will run daily from 10 AM to 2 PM and 3 PM to 7 PM local time (GMT+3). Teams have adopted varied strategies for dividing the precious track time.
- Mercedes has integrated highly-touted junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli into its lineup alongside George Russell, with the pair swapping days in the car.
- Williams will field its new driver pairing of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, who will also alternate daily sessions.
- Haas will give race driver Esteban Ocon the first day before handing over to Oliver Bearman for days two and three, with Ocon returning for the final afternoon.
- Aston Martin is taking a focused approach, allocating full days to Lance Stroll (Wednesday & Friday) and Fernando Alonso (Thursday) separately.
- Audi (formerly Sauber) will split its test between race driver Nico Hülkenberg and reserve Gabriele Bortoleto.
- Lineups for McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, Racing Bulls, Alpine, and Cadillac are yet to be finalized and announced.
What's next:
This first test is just the opening act. A second three-day test follows immediately the next week (February 18-20) at the same Bahrain International Circuit, allowing teams to correlate data and implement fixes. The entire F1 circus then packs up for the long-haul flight to Melbourne for the 2026 season opener on March 8. The performances and reliability displayed over these six test days will form the critical foundation for the first competitive runs in Australia.