Winners and Losers Emerge from Bahrain Pre-Season Testing

The first week of pre-season testing in Bahrain provided an initial, if incomplete, picture of the 2026 grid. While lap times can be deceptive, clear patterns in reliability, preparation, and raw performance have highlighted teams and drivers who impressed and those who left with significant questions unanswered.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing sets the narrative for the opening races, revealing which teams have built a solid foundation and which are already scrambling. For Mercedes, a strong test reinforces their championship credentials, while Aston Martin's struggles cast immediate doubt on their ambitious project. The performance of new power units, like Red Bull Ford's, also offers the first clues about a reshuffled competitive order.

The details:

• Mercedes consolidated its position as a favorite. Despite a modest 283 laps in Bahrain—a focus on quality over quantity after extensive running in Barcelona—the team ended the week with the fastest single lap times. Off-track, Toto Wolff successfully directed attention toward Red Bull by calling them the benchmark, a classic psychological ploy.
• Aston Martin faced the toughest week. With only 206 laps completed across its and engine partner Honda’s running, the team struggled with reliability. Driver Lance Stroll’s critical comments about the car’s pace, suggesting a deficit of several seconds, pointed to deeper performance issues with Adrian Newey’s first design for the team.
• Haas emerged as a quiet success story. The American team consistently logged clean, high-fuel laps, a strategy that has served them well in recent seasons. Their pace appeared to be the strongest among the teams outside the expected top four, positioning them as a contender in the midfield.
• Kimi Antonelli had a week to forget. Following a high-speed road car crash prior to testing, the Mercedes junior completed the fewest laps (94) of any driver during the sessions he was scheduled for, limiting his crucial track time. A fastest lap on the final day was a small consolation.
• Red Bull Ford surpassed initial expectations. The new power unit demonstrated solid reliability, and Max Verstappen’s long-run consistency was notably impressive. While rivals suspect Mercedes is ‘sandbagging’, Red Bull’s engine being discussed in the same tier as the reigning champions is a significant early victory.

Looking ahead:

The true pecking order will only be revealed at the Bahrain Grand Prix, but the test has established early narratives. Mercedes and Red Bull appear strong, with the former playing strategic mind games. Aston Martin has urgent work to do, while Haas could be the dark horse. For drivers like Antonelli, the pressure to make up for lost time begins immediately.