Racing Bulls rookie leads opening Bahrain test as 2026 cars hit the track
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad surprised by setting the fastest time in the opening hour of F1's first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain. The session saw all 11 teams run together for the first time, with several drivers having off-track moments as they adapted to the new cars, while Williams began its crucial catch-up program.
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad set the early pace in Formula 1's first public pre-season test in Bahrain, topping the timesheets just after the opening hour ahead of established stars. The session marked the first time all 11 teams ran together in 2026, with drivers experiencing varied fortunes as they acclimatized to the new-generation cars on the Sakhir circuit.
Why it matters:
The first public test provides the initial true benchmark for the 2026 technical regulations, revealing early performance trends and reliability signs. For teams like Williams, which missed the private Barcelona test, it's a critical catch-up opportunity, while for rookies like Lindblad, it's a chance to make an immediate impression.
The details:
- Lindblad's strong start: The British F1 rookie completed a long stint on soft tires, becoming the first driver to exceed 20 laps and setting a benchmark time of 1m37.945s.
- Red Bull power shows promise: Lindblad's pace, coupled with Max Verstappen setting the third-fastest time, indicated a strong initial showing for the new Racing Bulls/Red Bull power unit, praised for both speed and reliability.
- Williams plays catch-up: Carlos Sainz gave the Williams its first proper test day, finishing fourth fastest as the team seeks to recover from a delayed car build that caused it to miss the Barcelona test.
- Drivers grapple with new cars: Several drivers had off-track moments in the challenging Turn 9-10 sequence, including Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), and Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac), highlighting the learning curve with the 2026 machinery.
- Aston Martin and Audi updates: Lance Stroll began his program with installation laps as Aston Martin learns about its AMR26, while Audi debuted striking new sidepod upgrades on its R26 challenger with Gabriel Bortoleto at the wheel.
What's next:
The focus will shift to longer runs and race simulations as testing continues, providing deeper insights into tire degradation and true race pace. Teams will analyze the data from these initial shakedowns to finalize their packages for the season opener, with reliability and driver comfort in the new cars being the key watchpoints for the remaining test days.