Norris edges out Verstappen on first day of Bahrain winter testing

Lando Norris set the fastest time on the opening day of Formula 1's pre-season test in Bahrain, narrowly beating reigning world champion Max Verstappen by just over a tenth of a second. The session provided the first glimpse of the 2026 pecking order, though reliability issues for Aston Martin and Racing Bulls highlighted the early-season development race.

Why it matters:

Winter testing times are notoriously difficult to interpret due to varying fuel loads and run plans, but the top of the timesheet offers an initial, if incomplete, competitive snapshot. McLaren's strong start and Red Bull's immediate proximity confirm expectations of a close fight at the front, while issues for other teams underscore the challenge of achieving both performance and reliability with new regulations.

The details:

• Norris's benchmark lap of 1:34.669 was set on the softest C5 compound tyre during the afternoon session, after teammate Oscar Piastri handled driving duties in the morning.
• Max Verstappen, who also took over from a teammate in the afternoon, closed to within 0.129 seconds of Norris, indicating Red Bull's RB22 remains a potent package.
• Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three, but his best time was a more significant half-second adrift of the leading McLaren.
• The day was punctuated by two notable incidents: a red flag caused by an unspecified issue on Nico Hülkenberg's Audi, and limited running for two teams.
• Aston Martin's Troubles: Lance Stroll managed only 36 laps after the team detected a data anomaly, leading to precautionary power unit checks that sidelined the car for the afternoon.
• Racing Bulls Setback: Rookie Arvid Lindblad's running was severely curtailed by a fluid leak, preventing the team from completing its planned program.

What's next:

The three-day test continues, with teams focused on mileage and data collection over outright lap times.

• The true competitive picture will remain murky until qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix next week, as teams conceal their ultimate performance.
• All eyes will be on whether Aston Martin and Racing Bulls can resolve their technical gremlins to maximize precious track time over the next two days.
• The midfield battle, hinted at by Haas's Esteban Ocon in P4, will begin to take clearer shape as teams transition to more performance-oriented runs.