Norris Tops Day 1 of 2026 Bahrain Pre-Season Test

Lando Norris set the fastest time on the opening day of the first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, edging out Max Verstappen who had led the morning session. The McLaren driver posted a 1m 34.669s in the afternoon, with the reigning world champion close behind in the Red Bull RB22. The session was briefly interrupted by a red flag when Nico Hulkenberg stopped his Audi, though he was able to return to the track to continue data gathering.

Why it matters:

The first day of testing offers the initial, albeit limited, glimpse into the competitive order as teams debut their new-generation cars under the 2026 regulations. While lap times are heavily influenced by fuel loads, engine modes, and test programs, the early pecking order and any significant reliability issues become key talking points, setting the narrative for the three days of running and the long season ahead.

The details:

• Norris on Top: Lando Norris's afternoon lap of 1m 34.669s moved him to the top of the timesheets after Verstappen had set the morning benchmark.
• Verstappen's Full Day: Max Verstappen enjoyed a full day in the cockpit of the Red Bull RB22, a valuable opportunity for continuity, and improved his time to finish the day second fastest.
• Split Duties: Most other teams, unlike Red Bull, split their running between two drivers across the day's sessions.
• Hulkenberg's Halt: The only notable on-track incident involved Nico Hulkenberg's Audi coming to a stop, causing a red flag. The stoppage was brief, and the car returned to action for further data collection.

What's next:

Teams will analyze the terabytes of data collected today, focusing on reliability, correlation between simulation and reality, and initial car balance. The test continues for two more days, with the program expected to shift towards longer runs and race simulations, providing a clearer picture of each car's true performance and durability ahead of the season opener.