Sky Sports F1 to broadcast only final hour of first Bahrain pre-season test

Sky Sports F1 will provide only one hour of live television coverage per day during the first three-day pre-season test in Bahrain, limiting fan access to the crucial opening sessions of 2026. The broadcaster's schedule confirms that only the period from 15:00 to 16:00 GMT on February 11-13 will be aired, with the subsequent test days slated for full coverage.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing offers the first real glimpse of a team's new car and driver line-up in action, making comprehensive coverage highly anticipated by fans. This limited broadcast window restricts the ability to follow early reliability checks, performance runs, and driver acclimatization, which are key indicators for the upcoming season. It places greater reliance on team social media and written reports for the bulk of the day's developments.

The details:

• The first pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit runs from February 11 to 13, 2026.
• Broadcast Window: Sky Sports F1 will air only the final hour of each day (15:00-16:00 GMT). This is a significant reduction compared to the planned full-day coverage for the second test from February 18-20.
• Media Access: Unlike the closed-door test in Barcelona in late January, the Bahrain session is open to media and the public. This ensures a steady flow of photos, videos, and reports from the track throughout the day, despite the limited live TV feed.
• Alternative Coverage: Fans seeking real-time updates can follow dedicated liveblogs from publications like GPblog, which will provide textual commentary and analysis throughout the testing sessions.

What's next:

Attention will quickly shift to the second and final pre-season test, scheduled for February 18-20 at the same venue, which is expected to receive full live broadcast coverage. This three-day session will be the final opportunity for teams to refine their cars and for analysts to form concrete performance predictions before the 2026 season opener.