13 February 2026The RaceBreaking newsRace report
Mercedes caps Bahrain test with 1‑2 finish as Hamilton flags session
Mercedes secured a 1‑2 on the final day of Bahrain's 2026 test, with Hamilton’s spin ending the session. The SF‑26 posted the fastest lap, while Piastri logged the most mileage.
Mercedes closed the first of F1’s two 2026 pre‑season tests in Bahrain with a 1‑2 on the timing sheets. Lewis Hamilton’s spin at Turn 8 triggered the final red flag, ending a day that saw the team’s SF‑26 post the quickest lap.
Why it matters:
- A 1‑2 finish signals Mercedes’ early edge in the new power‑unit era, giving them momentum ahead of the second Bahrain test.
- Fast laps from both Hamilton and Russell provide valuable data on tyre wear and fuel consumption for the 2026 car.
The details:
- Hamilton completed 150 laps in the SF‑26, finishing third fastest and just 0.5 s off Kimi Antonelli’s best time.
- His best lap of 1:33.669 put him a quarter‑second ahead of teammate George Russell.
- Oscar Piastri was fourth fastest and logged 156 laps – the highest total of any driver this week.
- Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar rounded out the top six, followed by Haas’s Esteban Ocon.
- Franco Colapinto’s Alpine run saw a near‑spin into a barrier and an anti‑stall on the main straight, yet he still managed eighth‑fastest.
What's next:
- The second Bahrain test later this week will let teams refine the SF‑26’s aerodynamic package and confirm tyre degradation trends.
- Shanghai’s March 2026 test will be the first on an Asian circuit, offering a new set of speed‑trap data and cooling challenges before the season opener.