F1 Winter Testing Day 1 Kicks Off in Bahrain

The first official pre-season test of the 2026 Formula 1 season is underway in Bahrain, marking a crucial three-day evaluation period for all eleven teams. Following shakedown runs in Barcelona, teams will now ramp up their programs at the Sakhir circuit, with the first day featuring a mix of single-driver and split-session running plans across the grid.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing in Bahrain provides the first true, comparable performance indicator for the new cars under representative conditions. The data gathered here shapes initial competitive expectations and reveals which teams have made a step forward during the winter, setting the narrative just weeks before the season-opening Grand Prix at the same venue.

The details:

• The three-day test runs from February 11-13, with each day split into a morning and afternoon four-hour session separated by a one-hour break.
• Unlike the Barcelona shakedown, the Bahrain test will feature partial live TV coverage, with the final hour of each day broadcast, and live timing available throughout all sessions.
• Teams have adopted different driver strategies for Day 1. Some, like McLaren and Mercedes, will split running between their two race drivers, while others will have a single driver complete the full day's program.
• The test follows the conclusion of the car launch season, with Aston Martin, Cadillac, and McLaren having revealed their 2026 liveries just days ago.

What's next:

Teams will spend the next 72 hours conducting intensive race simulations, reliability checks, and performance runs. The lap times, while often obscured by fuel loads and engine modes, will be scrutinized to form an early pecking order. All focus now shifts to maximizing track time and understanding the new cars before the competitive lights go out for real in several weeks.