Verstappen returns to Red Bull, Hamilton steps in for Ferrari on final day of Bahrain testing

Max Verstappen returns to the cockpit of the Red Bull RB22, while Lewis Hamilton takes over driving duties for Ferrari on the final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain. The day will see a mix of strategies, with some teams opting for single-driver programs and others splitting running between their pair, as the first test of the 2026 season concludes.

Why it matters:

The final day of testing provides crucial last-minute data before the season opener, with teams fine-tuning setups and evaluating driver performance. The driver lineups, especially the return of champions like Verstappen and Hamilton, offer a final glimpse into team strategies and form before competitive running begins.

The details:

• Red Bull: Max Verstappen drives the morning session in the RB22, with Isack Hadjar returning for the afternoon after completing 87 laps on a challenging Day 2.
• Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton takes full-day duties in the SF-26, following Charles Leclerc's double session on the previous day.
• McLaren: Oscar Piastri is scheduled for a full day in the MCL40, mirroring teammate Lando Norris's program from Day 2.
• Mercedes: The team continues its split strategy, with George Russell driving in the morning before handing over to rookie Kimi Antonelli in the afternoon.
• Other notable lineups: Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon share the Williams, while Esteban Ocon gets his first run for Haas in the afternoon after Oliver Bearman's morning stint.

What's next:

Today's running marks the conclusion of the first pre-season test. Teams will analyze the collected data over the coming days before the second and final test session, which will provide the definitive form guide heading into the first Grand Prix of the 2026 season in Melbourne.