What a thunderous start to the Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain! While Lando Norris and McLaren snatched the headlines with the fastest lap, the true statement of intent arguably came from Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The reigning champion quietly piled on the laps, showcasing ominous reliability and long-run potential that could spell trouble for rivals.
Key Takeaways from Bahrain Day 1:
- Lando Norris (McLaren) topped the timing charts with a 1m34.669s lap.
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) completed a staggering 136 laps, more than any other driver, just 0.129s off Norris's pace.
- Aston Martin suffered an early setback with a "data anomaly" limiting Lance Stroll's running.
- Audi debuted a new sidepod concept but faced a mid-session breakdown for Nico Hulkenberg.
McLaren's Sprint vs. Red Bull's Marathon
The first day of 2026 F1 pre-season testing belonged to McLaren on the timing screens, with Lando Norris setting a blistering 1m34.669s in the afternoon session. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, had a solid morning, posting a 1m35.602s over 54 laps. It's an encouraging start for the Woking outfit, signaling potential raw speed in their MCL40.
However, the paddock's collective gaze remained fixed on Max Verstappen and the Red Bull RB22. Despite being 0.129s off Norris's ultimate pace, Verstappen logged an incredible 136 laps – nearly two full race distances. This relentless mileage underscores Red Bull's focus on reliability and gathering crucial data. Experts noted Red Bull's remarkable ability to deploy electrical power consistently over consecutive laps, a potential long-run advantage.
Early Pace and Unveiling New Tech
Ferrari had a productive day, with Charles Leclerc finishing third fastest, just 0.521s behind Norris, completing 80 laps. His morning counterpart, Lewis Hamilton, now at Ferrari for 2026, added 52 laps to the SF-26's tally, securing the day's seventh-fastest time.
Elsewhere, Esteban Ocon was a workhorse for Haas, putting 115 laps on the VF-26 and ending the day fourth fastest. Williams, despite missing their Barcelona shakedown, impressively made up for lost time. Carlos Sainz logged 77 laps for the team in the morning, followed by Alex Albon with 68 laps in the afternoon, showcasing the FW48's durability.
Roadblocks and Rookie Runs
Not every team had a seamless start. Aston Martin faced disappointment as their AMR26 managed only 36 laps. Lance Stroll completed 33 in the morning but was sidelined after just three more post-lunch due to a "data anomaly" from the new Honda power unit. This is an early red flag for the Silverstone squad.
Audi made waves by revealing an entirely redesigned sidepod on their R26, a significant departure from their launch show car. While Gabriel Bortoleto had a solid 49-lap morning, Nico Hulkenberg suffered a breakdown an hour into the afternoon session, triggering the day's first red flag. He eventually returned to complete 73 laps. Alpine also had a brief stoppage with Franco Colapinto early on, though they recovered to put Pierre Gasly on track for 49 laps.
Mercedes, currently embroiled in a power unit dispute, had a quiet day. George Russell completed 56 laps, while rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli gained valuable experience over 30 laps on hard tyres. Rookie Arvid Lindblad also got his first taste of the Racing Bulls VCARB 03, logging 75 laps before a fluid leak ended his session prematurely. Finally, Cadillac debuted its two-tone livery, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez sharing the driving duties.
Day one of pre-season testing always offers more questions than answers, but the intensity is already palpable. While McLaren showed flashes of raw pace, Red Bull's bulletproof reliability and sheer mileage send a potent warning shot across the paddock. The battle for 2026 is officially underway!
