13 February 2026GP BlogPress releaseResults
Mercedes leads first Bahrain pre‑season test
Mercedes topped the Bahrain test, with rookie Kimi Antonelli fastest (1:33.669) and George Russell second. Ferrari’s Hamilton and Leclerc were third and fourth, and Red Bull’s Verstappen was seventh.
Mercedes owned the Bahrain testing weekend, posting the two quickest laps as the 2026 season looms. Young Italian Kimi Antonelli set a 1:33.669 on Day 3, edging teammate George Russell’s 1:33.918, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc completed the top four.
Why it matters:
- A clear pace advantage for Mercedes gives them early momentum in the championship race.
- Antonelli’s speed reinforces the team’s trust in the rookie for a potential 2026 seat.
- Ferrari’s proximity signals a tight battle for podiums once the season starts.
The details:
- P1 – Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:33.669 – Day 3
- P2 – George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:33.918 – Day 3
- P3 – Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:34.209 – Day 3
- P4 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:34.273 – Day 2
- P5 – Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:34.549 – Day 3
- P6 – Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:34.669 – Day 1
What's next:
- Mercedes will focus on converting raw speed into race‑trim setups, especially tyre degradation and fuel strategy.
- Ferrari aims to close the gap with aerodynamic tweaks and power‑unit mapping before the Australian Grand Prix.
- Red Bull will analyse the shortfall and likely bring updates to the 2026 power unit for the season opener.