LINE-UPS FOR THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF F1 TESTS IN BAHRAIN AND WHAT IS PIRELLI BRINGING
Because Formula 1 teams are only allowed to run one car per session during pre-season testing, both race drivers must share the driving duties. Over the course of a test, each driver typically gets around one and a half days in the car, which works out to roughly 12 hours of track time.
Teams approach this in different ways. Some prefer to give a driver a full uninterrupted day, while others split the running between morning and afternoon sessions so both drivers get time in the car each day. With the 2026 regulations bringing completely new cars, every lap is valuable.
Below is the confirmed driver schedule for the first three days of testing in Bahrain:
| Team | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes | Russell (AM) / Antonelli (PM) | Antonelli (AM) / Russell (PM) | Russell (AM) / Antonelli (PM) |
| Red Bull | Verstappen | Hadjar | Verstappen (AM) / Hadjar (PM) |
| Ferrari | Hamilton (AM) / Leclerc (PM) | TBC | TBC |
| McLaren | Piastri (AM) / Norris (PM) | Norris | Piastri |
| Alpine | Colapinto (AM) / Gasly (PM) | Gasly | Colapinto |
| Visa Cash App RB | Lindblad | Lawson (AM) / Lindblad (PM) | Lawson |
| Aston Martin | Stroll | Alonso | Stroll |
| Williams | Sainz (AM) / Albon (PM) | Albon (AM) / Sainz (PM) | Sainz (AM) / Albon (PM) |
| Audi | Bortoleto (AM) / Hülkenberg (PM) | Hülkenberg (AM) / Bortoleto (PM) | Bortoleto (AM) / Hülkenberg (PM) |
| Haas | Ocon | Bearman | Bearman (AM) / Ocon (PM) |
| Cadillac | Bottas (AM) / Perez (PM) | Perez (AM) / Bottas (PM) | Bottas (AM) / Perez (PM) |
What does Pirelli bring to Bahrain this week
In the first Formula 1 test at Sakhir, teams will only be allowed to use the three hardest tyre compounds: C1, C2 and C3. The second test, however, will give teams access to all five Pirelli dry compounds for the 2026 season.
During this week’s test, teams will use the same tyre compounds already run during the private Barcelona shakedown in late January.
This means drivers will continue working with Pirelli’s hardest tyres: C1, C2 and C3. Each team will receive 28 sets of dry tyres, plus one mandatory set of intermediate tyres.
For Pirelli, this test is important because the tyres will now be evaluated in very different conditions. While Barcelona was cold, Bahrain is expected to be much warmer, giving a clearer picture of tyre performance and behaviour.
The second Bahrain test, scheduled for the same days next week, will allow teams to use the full 2026 tyre range, including the softer C4 and C5 compounds. Teams will have a maximum of 24 tyre sets each, and wet tyres will not be provided. Tyres used for fewer than 10 laps can be carried over from one session to the next.
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