Leclerc Tops Bahrain Test Morning Session as Red Bull, Mercedes Hit Snags
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc led the timesheets on the second morning of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The session was marked by significant setbacks for Red Bull and Mercedes, who both faced technical problems that severely limited their track time, putting their preparation schedules behind.
Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the morning session of Day Two at pre-season testing in Bahrain, while rivals Red Bull and Mercedes both lost significant track time due to technical problems. The Ferrari driver's 1:34.273 put him over half a second clear of McLaren's Lando Norris, but the headline story was the limited running for two of the sport's top teams.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing is a critical, limited window for teams to validate their new cars and gather performance data. Any major reliability issue that sidelines a car, especially for a front-running team, represents a substantial setback in preparation for the opening race. The problems for Red Bull and Mercedes immediately raise questions about the initial robustness of their 2026 challengers.
The details:
- Red Bull's Delay: The reigning champions missed the first two hours of the session after mechanics discovered a hydraulic leak on the chassis side during an overnight rebuild. Reserve driver Isack Hadjar finally completed a single installation lap in the final minutes.
- Mercedes' Engine Issue: Kimi Antonelli's running was cut to just three laps after an unspecified engine problem on the W17. The team confirmed the car would not return until the afternoon session at the earliest.
- Other Incidents: Sergio Perez brought out a red flag early in the session due to a throttle set-up problem on his Cadillac, which was quickly resolved. Turn 10 proved tricky, with several drivers, including Leclerc and Fernando Alonso, locking up.
- Productive Runs: In contrast, Leclerc (62 laps), Norris (64 laps), and Pierre Gasly (61 laps) all completed extensive programs, indicating more productive mornings for Ferrari, McLaren, and Alpine.
What's next:
The afternoon session will be crucial for Red Bull and Mercedes to recover their lost mileage and begin their testing programs in earnest. All eyes will be on whether their issues are resolved and if they can complete a full race simulation. The lap times, while still largely unrepresentative due to unknown fuel loads and run plans, will continue to be scrutinized for early competitive clues.