Formula 1 teams began official pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit as preparations continue ahead of the 2026 championship season. Testing sessions allow teams to evaluate new vehicle technology, performance data, and reliability under revised technical regulations.
Confirmed Day 1 Testing Results
🥇 Lando Norris (Great Britain) — McLaren
Time: 1m34.669s
Laps completed: 58
🥈 Max Verstappen (Netherlands) — Red Bull Racing
Time: 1m34.798s
Laps completed: 136
🥉 Charles Leclerc (Monaco) — Ferrari
Time: 1m35.190s
Laps completed: 80
4️⃣ Esteban Ocon (France) — Haas
5️⃣ Oscar Piastri (Australia) — McLaren
6️⃣ George Russell (Great Britain) — Mercedes
7️⃣ Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) — Ferrari
Testing continues over multiple sessions as teams gather performance data ahead of the season opener.
The 2026 Formula 1 season introduces updated engineering requirements and technical regulations, making pre-season testing critical for performance analysis and vehicle development.
About the Author Brad Socha is the founder of The Universal Record, focused on sourced, factual global reporting. Coverage includes international news, geopolitics, technology, and major developments.
