Verstappen tops first morning of Bahrain F1 pre-season test

Max Verstappen set the fastest time in the opening morning of Formula 1's 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, signaling a strong start for Red Bull as teams finally shared the track with their new cars. The session provided the first glimpse of competitive order, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Mercedes' George Russell close behind, while Lewis Hamilton's debut for Ferrari included a spin and a trip off-track.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing times are notoriously deceptive, but the first public session sets an initial benchmark and reveals early reliability trends. With major driver moves like Hamilton to Ferrari and all teams unveiling their interpretations of the 2026 regulations, this test offers the first clues about which teams might have started the new era on the right foot and which are already facing challenges.

The details:

• Verstappen's pace: The reigning champion logged a 1m35.433s on medium tires during the second hour, completing 65 laps in the RB22—more than a Bahrain Grand Prix race distance. He also had a lock-up and run-off at Turn 1, showing the team was pushing limits.
• The chasing pack: Oscar Piastri was just 0.169s behind for McLaren, with George Russell a further half-second back for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, 1.0 second off the pace, after a spin at Turn 1 and a late improvement.
• Reliability and mileage: Williams' Carlos Sainz, who missed the earlier Barcelona test, completed the most laps (77). Rookie Arvid Lindblad impressed with 75 laps for Racing Bulls. In contrast, Alpine's Franco Colapinto caused the only red flag when his car stopped on track, limiting his running to just 28 laps.
• Technical debut: Audi captured attention by running a revised car with bold new sidepod and nose designs, as the team continues its development push.

What's next:

The afternoon session will see driver swaps and further data gathering, with teams focusing on long-run performance and tire degradation. The true picture will remain unclear until qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, but day one has already highlighted contenders for strong starts and teams with work to do. All eyes will be on whether Ferrari and Hamilton can find more pace and if Red Bull's early speed is a genuine indicator of performance.