McLaren’s Lando Norris topped day one of Bahrain testing with a 1:34.669 lap, 0.129 s quicker than Max Verstappen’s 1:34.798. Verstappen ran double laps, while Ferrari, Haas, Audi and Aston Martin showed pace.
McLaren's Lando Norris set the fastest time on Day 1 of 2026 F1 testing in Bahrain, just ahead of Max Verstappen's Red Bull. The session revealed early technical issues for several teams and provided the first look at new car designs under the latest regulations, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completing the top three.
Lando Norris led the timesheets on Day 1 of F1 testing, but Max Verstappen's high lap count and consistent speed in the new Red Bull signaled the team's formidable form. Mercedes faced a setback with a chassis issue, while the field completed over 1,100 laps in a largely trouble-free session.
Lewis Hamilton concedes that having a temporary race engineer for the start of the 2026 F1 season will hurt his campaign, as Ferrari finalizes a permanent replacement for the departed Riccardo Adami. The late shuffle disrupts crucial stability ahead of major rule changes.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has officially confirmed a sequel to 'F1 The Movie' is in the works. The original 2025 film, starring Brad Pitt and co-produced by Lewis Hamilton, was a major box office hit and Oscar contender, proving the successful fusion of Hollywood storytelling with authentic Formula 1 drama.
Mercedes' Toto Wolff states a proposed F1 engine rule change targeting a technical interpretation his team developed would be "quite damaging" to performance. The dispute, involving all power unit manufacturers, centers on a potential loophole and could reshape the competitive landscape before the 2026 season begins.
Jenson Button predicts Lewis Hamilton will return to his best form with Ferrari under F1's 2026 rules, citing the regulatory reset as a chance for Hamilton to directly influence the car's design and overcome the struggles of his difficult debut season with the team.
Lando Norris led a tight opening day of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, beating Max Verstappen by 0.129 seconds. While McLaren and Red Bull showed early pace, reliability issues hampered Aston Martin and Racing Bulls, highlighting the initial development challenges for the 2026 season.
Rival F1 teams are pushing the FIA to alter engine compression ratio tests, targeting Mercedes' power unit which they claim gains an on-track advantage. Toto Wolff admits his team is vulnerable to a collective rule change but warns of chaotic consequences, setting up a pivotal governance decision before the season starts.
Lewis Hamilton has labeled the upcoming mid-race engineer change at Ferrari as
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has identified Red Bull Ford's new in-house power unit as the current performance benchmark after the first day of 2026 pre-season testing, praising its consistent and superior energy deployment. This surprising early assessment validates Red Bull's risky engine project and comes alongside ongoing technical controversy surrounding Mercedes' own power unit design.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain began with setbacks for Racing Bulls and Aston Martin. Racing Bulls' car is sidelined for the day with a fluid leak, while Aston Martin is conducting checks on its power unit after spotting a data anomaly, costing both teams precious track time.
