Verstappen Tops Timesheets in First Bahrain Pre-Season Test Session

Max Verstappen and Red Bull opened the 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain by setting the fastest time of the morning session, signaling their intent to maintain their competitive edge. The four-time champion logged a 1m35.433s lap in the new RB22, finishing ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Mercedes' George Russell.

Why it matters:

The first day of testing offers the initial glimpse of the competitive order, and Verstappen's immediate pace is a psychological marker for the grid. While lap times in testing are not definitive, a strong, trouble-free start is crucial for building momentum and validating a new car's fundamental concept ahead of the season opener.

The details:

• Verstappen's time of 1m35.433s remained unbeaten through the morning, and he completed a solid 65 laps, demonstrating both speed and early reliability.
• Oscar Piastri for McLaren emerged as the closest challenger, finishing just over a tenth behind Verstappen, with George Russell third for Mercedes.
• The session was briefly interrupted by a red flag when Alpine's Franco Colapinto stopped on track, but running resumed quickly.
• Beyond the timesheets, Audi's new sidepod design and Cadillac's fresh livery on track drew technical attention, while Carlos Sainz (Williams) was the busiest driver with 77 laps completed.

What's next:

Verstappen is scheduled to continue driving in the afternoon session, indicating Red Bull's focus on accumulating mileage. The true test will come over the next two days as teams transition to longer runs, race simulations, and understanding tire degradation. Today's times provide an early snapshot, but the full picture of the 2026 pecking order will only become clearer by the end of the test.