Here are the 9am lap times from the first day of the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing held in Bahrain.
This report is refreshed every hour.
2026 F1 Bahrain Pre-season Test 1: Day 1 (9am)
| Position | Driver | Nationality | Team | Best Lap Time | Laps Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | NED | Oracle Red Bull Racing | 1:35.433 | 26 |
| 2 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1:36.923 | 21 |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | 1:37.047 | 20 |
| 4 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | TGR Haas F1 Team | 1:37.668 | 27 |
| 5 | Arvid Lindblad | GBR | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 | 1:37.945 | 37 |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 1:38.339 | 32 |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Scuderia Ferrari HP | 1:39.269 | 21 |
| 8 | Valtteri Bottas | FIN | Cadillac F1 Team | 1:40.317 | 19 |
| 9 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 1:40.364 | 20 |
| 10 | Gabriel Bortoleto | BRA | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 1:40.659 | 18 |
| 11 | Franco Colapinto | ARG | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 1:41.600 | 17 |
As the eagerly awaited 2026 F1 season approaches, all eleven teams are in Bahrain for two weeks of pre-season testing. This period is crucial for teams to get the most out of track time and adapt to the new cars ahead of the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix on March 8th.
The testing schedule includes six driving days held across two three-day sessions at the Bahrain International Circuit. The first test is from February 11th to 13th, followed by the second from February 18th to 20th.
Williams missed the opportunity to run their FW48 during the closed-door shakedown in Barcelona and made their testing debut in Bahrain. Aston Martin also had a limited run in Spain, managing only a single full day, so both teams will be eager to make up ground here.
Fan Take:
This early glimpse at the 2026 test times already hints at fierce competition, with Verstappen setting an impressive pace. For racing enthusiasts, these sessions are crucial as they reveal the initial strengths and potential challenges teams face with the new regulations, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season.
