The 2026 F1 grid assembled for the first time in Bahrain for official pre-season testing, showcasing the final race liveries for all 11 teams. The session provides the first real-world glimpse of the new cars running together ahead of the season opener.
Williams F1 boss James Vowles says he's been positively surprised by the competitiveness and reliability of Red Bull's new 2026 power unit, calling it a welcome development for the sport. He praised the Milton Keynes team for building a strong engine from scratch in their first year, a sentiment echoed by other team principals.
Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad surprised by setting the fastest time in the opening hour of F1's first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain. The session saw all 11 teams run together for the first time, with several drivers having off-track moments as they adapted to the new cars, while Williams began its crucial catch-up program.
The first red flag of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain was caused by a Williams stoppage but proved to be a minor interruption. The session quickly resumed, with all teams logging strong mileage and showing promising early reliability as they begin their crucial 2025 car development programs.
Fernando Alonso argues that Formula 1's essence has fundamentally changed, moving away from the raw, driver-focused "peak DNA" of the V10 era to a calculated, system-heavy "robot style" of racing. He warns that the sport will never return to that pure form, as complex energy management and efficiency demands now overshadow the visceral thrill and individual magic he experienced earlier in his career.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown praised the Red Bull-Ford engine's strong and reliable debut in testing, calling it impressive for a new power unit. He cautioned that the true competitive order is still unclear but expects McLaren and the top teams to be in the fight from the start.
George Russell has been named the bookmakers' favorite for the 2026 F1 title after Mercedes showed strong pre-season form. Reigning champion Lando Norris responded to the prediction with sarcastic agreement, highlighting the early mind games ahead of F1's major technical regulation change. Both drivers expressed mutual respect, with Norris acknowledging Russell as a future champion.
The FIA is targeting a solution before the Australian Grand Prix to a brewing dispute over 2026 engine regulations, specifically the compression ratio limit. Rival manufacturers are reportedly united against Mercedes' interpretation of the rules, which were simplified to attract new entrants like Audi and Red Bull Ford. The governing body aims to resolve the matter to ensure competition happens on track, not in regulatory hearings.
Max Verstappen will drive all day for Red Bull as Formula 1's 2026 pre-season testing begins in Bahrain. Williams finally runs its new car with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, while most other teams, including McLaren and Ferrari, will split duties between their drivers across the day's sessions.
Rival F1 teams are uniting to oppose Mercedes over a potential engine loophole as the 2026 season approaches. Damon Hill predicts a much larger performance gap in qualifying, while Fernando Alonso warns new energy management rules could diminish the pure joy of driving, setting the stage for a pivotal pre-season test in Bahrain.
Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli walked away unhurt from a single-car crash in San Marino, days before his important F1 pre-season test in Bahrain. The accident damaged his limited-edition Mercedes-AMG road car but will not affect his scheduled running with the F1 team.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli says the biggest lesson from his debut F1 year was learning the critical importance of his pre-session mindset. He credits overcoming a tough mid-season slump with teaching him to focus on the process, not just the result, leading to greater maturity.
