Haas becomes first F1 team to reveal Bahrain test lineup

Haas has broken ranks to become the first Formula 1 team to officially confirm its driver schedule for the crucial three-day pre-season test in Bahrain from February 11-13. While most other teams, including heavyweights like Red Bull and Ferrari, have yet to announce their plans, the American squad has locked in its running order for the new Valtteri Bottas and Oliver Bearman era.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing is the only opportunity for teams to run their radically new 2026-spec cars on track before the competitive pressure of a race weekend begins. With sweeping new technical regulations, maximizing track time and gathering reliable data is paramount for establishing a baseline performance level. Haas's early announcement provides a concrete look at how teams will manage the limited running, splitting duties between their race drivers and any reserve drivers.

The details:

• The test runs from Wednesday, February 11th, to Friday, February 13th, at the Bahrain International Circuit, with track action from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM UK time each day.
• Teams are only permitted to run one car at a time, forcing them to carefully split driving duties between their nominated drivers across the three days.
• Haas's Schedule: Esteban Ocon will take the wheel for the team on Wednesday. Rookie Oliver Bearman will then drive for the full day on Thursday. The final day on Friday will see driving duties split between Bearman in the morning and Ocon in the afternoon.
• The Unknowns: The schedule for the other ten teams—including McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull—remains listed as "TBA" (To Be Announced).
• Barcelona Shakedown Context: This Bahrain test follows a closed-door, five-day shakedown in Barcelona in late January. That session was focused on initial reliability checks and data gathering, with teams running on a limited schedule.
  • Notably, Williams was forced to miss the entire Barcelona test due to delays in preparing its new car, putting the historic team on the back foot before the season even begins.

What's next:

Expect a flurry of driver schedule announcements from the remaining teams in the coming days as final preparations are locked in. All eyes will be on the Sakhir circuit to see which teams show early promise and which ones struggle with the reliability of their new-generation machines. The test will set the narrative for the opening rounds of the 2026 season, offering the first true, comparative glimpse of the new competitive order.