F1 Testing: Verstappen Impresses as Red Bull Set Bahrain Pace – Day 1 Report

Bahrain International Circuit played host to the opening day of Formula 1’s pre-season testing on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and it was Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing who set the pace, though the broader narrative centered on the impressive performance and reliability demonstrated by the team as they embark on their first season manufacturing their own power unit since 2005.

Verstappen clocked a fastest time of 1:35.433, ultimately finishing second to Lando Norris’ McLaren (1:34.669) but the Dutchman’s day was about more than just a single lap time. He completed a substantial 65 laps in the morning session, and a remarkable 136 laps across both sessions, providing valuable data and showcasing the durability of the Red Bull RB22 and its new Ford-backed engine. This early display of endurance and speed has already caught the attention of rivals.

The three-day test in Bahrain is part of an extended pre-season schedule designed to allow teams to adapt to the significant regulation changes for the 2026 season, encompassing both power unit and chassis innovations. Red Bull’s strong showing follows a positive shakedown in Barcelona last month, further solidifying their position as early frontrunners.

While lap times at this stage of testing must be viewed with caution – teams are prioritizing data collection and systems checks over outright performance – the sheer volume of running completed by Verstappen and Red Bull is noteworthy. The team’s ability to consistently put in laps, coupled with competitive pace, suggests a well-executed development program.

Mercedes, meanwhile, appeared to be taking a more measured approach. George Russell secured the third-fastest time, but at 1.5 seconds off the pace, the Silver Arrows’ performance raised questions. Team boss Toto Wolff acknowledged Red Bull’s strong showing, stating they had “set the benchmark” and highlighting their impressive energy deployment on the straights. Wolff noted Red Bull’s ability to deploy more energy over consecutive laps, estimating a one-second per lap advantage.

“I was hoping they would be worse than they are,” Wolff said. “They have done a very good job. Look at their energy deployment today. They are able to deploy far more energy on the straights than everybody else. We are speaking a second per lap, over consecutive laps.”

The day wasn’t without its interruptions. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto triggered a red flag after his car stopped on track, but the issue was quickly resolved. A second red flag was brought out in the afternoon session due to a problem with Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi, though he was able to restart the car and resume running.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc placed third, with Lewis Hamilton experiencing a spin during the morning session, highlighting the challenges of adapting to the new cars and track conditions. The Italian outfit completed a solid lap count, but appeared to struggle for outright grip, a sentiment echoed by Hamilton who described the conditions as having “Monza downforce” levels of grip.

McLaren’s Zak Brown also acknowledged Red Bull’s strong performance, but cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions at this early stage. He suggested the top four teams – Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari – remained closely matched, with the true pecking order likely to become clearer closer to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8th.

“If I had to go Vegas (to bet on it), it looks like the big four are the big four, kind of hard to tell in what order,” Brown said. “Mercedes were very strong in Spain. Max has done some great lap times around here. But it kind of looks like the grid is in a similar position.”

The testing schedule continues with two more days in Bahrain this week, followed by a further three days next week. Teams will be focused on refining their car setups, gathering data on tire performance, and maximizing reliability ahead of the competitive season. The focus remains on understanding the new regulations and optimizing performance for the long haul, rather than chasing outright lap records.

The second day of testing is scheduled for Thursday, February 12th, with Sky Sports F1 providing live coverage throughout the event. The final day of this initial test phase is Friday, February 13th.