Mercedes Tops Timesheets as 2026 Pre-Season Testing Concludes in Bahrain
Mercedes ended the first 2026 F1 pre-season test fastest, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli topping the timesheets. McLaren accumulated the most mileage, while Red Bull's running appeared limited. The test highlighted early reliability for some and potential concerns for others ahead of the new era.
The first pre-season test of the 2026 Formula 1 season concluded in Bahrain, with Mercedes setting the pace on the final day as rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli led a team one-two. While lap times offer an initial glimpse, the three days were dominated by teams gathering crucial mileage, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri completing a mammoth 161 laps on Friday alone.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing provides the first tangible data points on the competitive order under the new 2026 technical regulations. While headline times are deceptive due to unknown fuel loads and engine modes, reliability and consistent mileage are critical indicators of a team's winter preparation. The sheer volume of laps completed, especially by Mercedes-powered teams, suggests a strong foundation has been laid, while others face early hurdles.
By the numbers:
- Lap Time Leader: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 1:33.669s
- Most Laps (Team): McLaren - 161 laps (871 km) on Day 3
- Most Laps (Engine): Mercedes-powered teams - 590 laps (3,193 km) total on Day 3
- Red Flags: 3 (Cadillac, Ferrari, and an FIA test)
- Biggest Gap: Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) finished 5.103 seconds off the pace.
The mileage chart reveals a story of preparation and potential trouble. Mercedes-powered cars—Williams, McLaren, the works team, and Alpine—collectively covered over 3,193 kilometers on Friday, showcasing impressive reliability from the German manufacturer. In contrast, Red Bull Ford-powered teams (Red Bull and Racing Bulls) managed just 1,294 kilometers combined, hinting at a possible focus on component checks or encountering minor issues. Aston Martin, with the sole Honda power unit, completed the fewest laps (72), raising questions about their early integration progress.
The details:
Mercedes not only led the mileage charge but also the timing screens, with Antonelli edging out teammate George Russell. Lewis Hamilton, in his first official test for Ferrari, placed third but completed a race-distance-plus run of 150 laps, signaling a solid start for the Scuderia's new partnership. Further down, Max Verstappen's Red Bull was over 1.6 seconds off the pace, though the team's program is famously difficult to read in testing.
The session was interrupted by three red flags. Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas stopped on track early in the day, mirroring a reliability issue for teammate Sergio Perez on Thursday. Lewis Hamilton also brought out a late red flag by stopping his Ferrari, though the team reported it as a precautionary check. A third stoppage was for a planned FIA system test.
What's next:
The data from Bahrain will now be analyzed intensely as teams head back to their factories to prepare for the final pre-season test. The pecking order suggested by these three days is fluid, but the reliability shown by Mercedes and the mileage achieved by McLaren are positive early signs. All eyes will be on whether Red Bull's apparent lack of running was strategic or symptomatic of deeper issues, and if Ferrari and Hamilton can maintain their promising start when the season begins in earnest.