SAKHIR, BAHRAIN – Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc concluded the Formula 1 pre-season test schedule in Bahrain as the fastest driver posting a blistering lap time of , February 20th, of 1:31.992. The performance marks a strong signal for the Scuderia ahead of the season opener in Australia on March 6-8.
Leclerc consistently topped the timesheets throughout the final day of testing, initially setting a 1:32.655 on C3 compound Pirelli tires before ultimately achieving his best lap of the week with a switch to the softer C4 compound. His overall pace was significantly quicker than the rest of the field, establishing him as the only driver to dip below the 1 minute 32-second mark across the six days of testing.
Defending world champion Lando Norris of McLaren finished second overall with a best lap of 1:32.871, achieved during the afternoon session on . Despite missing the initial two hours of his final test outing, Norris demonstrated competitive pace, ultimately securing the fourth-fastest time of the entire test period.
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli secured the second-fastest overall time with a 1:32.803, set on C3 tires on Day 2 of testing. Oscar Piastri, Norris’ McLaren teammate, rounded out the top three with a 1:32.861, also recorded on Day 2. However, Piastri’s performance on the final day, a 1:34.352, placed him 11th on the Day 3 timesheet.
Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen finished third on the final day with a lap of 1:33.109, utilizing Pirelli’s prototype tires. This performance translated to fifth-fastest overall across the entire test. Mercedes’ George Russell was fourth quickest on , clocking a 1:33.197, four places ahead of his teammate Antonelli.
Antonelli’s morning session was hampered by a pneumatic pressure issue that triggered a red flag and necessitated a power unit change on the W17, curtailing his running time. Russell then took over driving duties for the remainder of the session.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly delivered a positive result for his team, setting a 1:33.421 on the softest C5 tire compound, placing him fifth on the day’s timesheet. Haas’ Oliver Bearman followed closely behind, recording a 1:33.487 on C3 tires.
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto secured seventh place with a 1:33.755 lap on C4 tires, while Arvid Lindblad, a 2026 rookie driving for Racing Bulls, completed an impressive 165 laps and finished eighth with a time of 1:34.149. Williams’ Carlos Sainz rounded out the top ten.
Aston Martin faced continued challenges during the final day of testing. Lance Stroll managed only six untimed laps due to an engine parts shortage stemming from Fernando Alonso’s battery issues experienced on . The team was unable to resume significant running as a result.
Ferrari’s strong performance throughout the test, particularly Leclerc’s consistent pace and the innovative rear wing design featuring a 180-degree rotating upper flap, positions them as early favorites for the upcoming season. The team completed a full race simulation during the test, utilizing both medium and hard tire compounds, providing valuable data for race strategy development.
The pre-season test results offer a preliminary glimpse into the competitive landscape of the 2026 Formula 1 season. While testing times should be interpreted with caution, as teams often run different fuel loads and tire compounds, Leclerc’s dominant performance and Ferrari’s overall reliability suggest they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. The Australian Grand Prix will provide the first true test of each team’s performance in a competitive race environment.
FIA Formula 1 Pre-Season Test, Bahrain 2 – Day 3
1 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:31.992s 132 laps
2 Lando Norris McLaren 1:32.871s 47 laps
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:33.109s 65 laps
4 George Russell Mercedes 1:33.197s 82 laps
5 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:33.421s 118 laps
6 Oliver Bearman Haas 1:33.487s 88 laps
7 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:33.755s 71 laps
8 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:33.916s 49 laps
9 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:34.149s 165 laps
10 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:34.342s 141 laps
11 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:34.352s 66 laps
12 Esteban Ocon Haas 1:34.494s 82 laps
13 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 1:34.511s 59 laps
14 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:35.290s 38 laps
15 Nico Hülkenberg Audi 1:36.019s 64 laps
16 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:40.842s 61 laps
17 Lance Stroll Aston Martin No Time 6 laps
