FORMULA 1 2026 TO OFFICIALLY START IN BAHRAIN TOMORROW: THE PREVIEW
With car launch season nearly finished and the Barcelona shakedown now complete, Formula 1 teams are turning their full attention to the next big step in preparing for the 2026 season: official pre-season testing in Bahrain.
This year’s testing is especially important. The 2026 regulations bring major changes to both the cars and the power units, and teams will get more track time than usual to understand their new machines before the first race in Australia, which is less than a month away.
The Bahrain International Circuit has become a regular testing venue in recent years. Its warm weather and modern facilities make it ideal for gathering reliable data. In 2026, testing has been expanded from the usual three days to six, giving teams much more time to learn.
That extra time is very needed, as the cars are completely new. While teams have done extensive work using simulators, wind tunnels, and computer simulations (CFD), nothing replaces real running on track.
Testing Schedule and Format
The first Bahrain test begins on Wednesday, February 11, shortly after Aston Martin and McLaren launch their seasons. The second test starts on Wednesday, February 18.
Each test day runs from 10:00 to 19:00 local time, with a one-hour lunch break. That gives roughly eight hours of running per day.
All teams will be present. Ten teams ran cars in the Barcelona shakedown, and Williams will complete the full grid in Bahrain after successfully shaking down their new car at a wet Silverstone.
Because teams are only allowed to run one car, the two race drivers must share the driving. Each driver will get about one and a half days per test, or roughly 12 hours of track time. Some teams will give each driver a full day, while others will split running more evenly across the test.
Barcelona was mainly about making sure everything worked: software, systems, and basic car functions. It was also the first real chance to try new ideas, such as active aerodynamics. In 2026, both the front and rear wings can open, and drivers now have new modes like Boost, Overtake, and Recharge.
While in Bahrain is where things get more serious, teams will push the cars harder, test reliability, and begin running full race-style programs. They’ll experiment with different setups, learn about the new tyre compounds, and practice race starts. Several drivers have said starts are more difficult this year, so expect to see lots of practice runs.
How to Watch the Tests
During the first Bahrain test, the final hour of each day will be streamed live by F1TV and your national TV Broadcaster. Livetimings will be available throughout the day.
Share this content:
