Norris Tops Bahrain Test Day 1, But Red Bull Pace Impresses Rivals

Lando Norris set the fastest time for McLaren on the opening day of Formula 1's 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, but the consistent performance and impressive long-run pace of Max Verstappen's Red Bull sent a clear message to their rivals. While lap times are notoriously unrepresentative this early, Red Bull's ability to complete 136 laps and deploy significant energy on the straights over consecutive laps stood out as a potential benchmark.

Why it matters:

The first official day of testing offers the initial glimpse of the competitive order under the new 2026 regulations. Red Bull's strong showing with its first in-house power unit, following a solid Barcelona shakedown, suggests the team has successfully managed a monumental technical transition and may have maintained its performance advantage. For rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari, the data provides a sobering reference point as they work to close the gap.

The details:

• Timesheet Summary: Norris's late flyer of 1:34.669s put him 0.129 seconds clear of Verstappen. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was third, half a second back, while George Russell was 1.5 seconds off the pace for Mercedes in sixth.
• Red Bull's Statement: Beyond the single lap, Verstappen's program was the day's most notable. He amassed 136 laps—a strong reliability showing—and demonstrated formidable energy deployment on the straights during consistent long runs, which Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff estimated could be worth a second per lap.
• Mercedes' Mixed Day: The team faced a disrupted afternoon with rookie Kimi Antonelli confined to the garage for much of the second session before completing 30 laps late on. Their headline time was unremarkable, which some observers speculated could be strategic obfuscation of true pace.
• Ferrari's Handling Quirks: The SF-26 appeared to be a handful again, with Lewis Hamilton spinning in the morning session during his filming run for the team, highlighting an ongoing challenge.
• Limited Disruptions: The day saw two brief red flags, one for Alpine's Franco Colapinto and another for Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, but both cars returned to action quickly.

The big picture:

Initial impressions reinforce the notion of a leading group comprising Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, though the exact order remains fluid. Red Bull's seamless integration of its new power unit and chassis appears to be the early success story, putting pressure on teams that were hoping the regulation change would level the playing field. McLaren's one-lap pace is encouraging, but the team acknowledges the need for consistent race performance.

What's next:

Testing continues for two more days in Bahrain this week, followed by a second three-day test next week at the same circuit before the season opener in Australia on March 8.

• Teams will shift focus to race simulations, tire degradation, and understanding the new cars in varying fuel loads and conditions.
• The true competitive picture will only begin to crystallize in Melbourne, but Red Bull has firmly established itself as the early team to beat.