13:32
Back to on track matters and Valtteri Bottas has headed out on track in his Cadillac for the first time this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin's AMR26 has returned to the team's garage following Lance Stroll's red flag-inducing spin.
George Russell
Day 1 of second F1 2026 Bahrain pre-season testing as it happened
Recap the first day of the second F1 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain.
KEY MOMENTS:
- George Russell sets new fastest time of pre-season testing
- Ferrari issue leaves Lewis Hamilton stuck in garage
- Lance Stroll causes red flag with spin in Aston Martin
- Red Bull and Aston Martin hit trouble and lose track time
George Russell produced the fastest time of the day - and pre-season testing so far - with a 1m33.459s as Mercedes led the way, while its rivals hit trouble.
McLaren's Oscar Piastri was second-fastest, just 0.010s behind Russell, with Charles Leclerc third in the Ferrari.
Red Bull, Aston Martin and Ferrari all had spells consigned to their respective garages due to problems throughout the first day of the second Bahrain test.
Preparations for the new F1 campaign are ramping up as official pre-season testing continues in Bahrain.
After a five-day private shakedown in Barcelona at the end of January, all 11 teams are back in action as the Bahrain International Circuit hosts two, three-day official pre-season tests before the 2026 F1 campaign gets underway.
The second and final three-day test is on 18-20 February. Testing takes place between 7am and 4pm with a one-hour lunch break each day.
18 Feb 2026
13:26
Update from the F1 Commission meeting
A statement from the FIA confirms there will be "no immediate regulatory changes" regarding start procedures, but the matter will continue to be evaluated during the remainder of the second Bahrain pre-season test.
"Constructive discussion took place among all the teams following initial feedback from drivers arising from a survey instigated by the FIA. Topics covered include overall car characteristics, energy and power unit, aerodynamics, overtaking and racing, tyres and mechanical grip," the statement read.
"Positive feedback from drivers was received on the reduced weight and smaller dimensions of the 2026 cars. Divers generally agreed that the new car exhibited improved ride quality and stronger initial acceleration.
"Further evaluation and technical checks on energy management matters will be carried out over the following three days at the second pre-season test in Bahrain.
"It was agreed that no immediate major regulatory changes were required given that initial evidence and feedback remains immature and that premature change carried the risk of increased instability ahead of the first race. Further reviews will be carried out once more data becomes available.
"There were constructive talks and proposals centred on the race start procedure during the commission meeting. As a result, further evaluation of updates to race systems and on-car management will be undertaken during the current Bahrain test."
13:19
Oscar Piastri now improves to third and puts his McLaren just 0.328s off the pace set by Charles Leclerc.
13:13
Lewis Hamilton moves up to fourth-fastest with a 1m34.576s.
13:08
Session resumes
Lance Stroll's stricken Aston Martin has been recovered and the track is live once again after that short red flag.
13:02
Lap times after five hours
| 2026 F1 Bahrain Pre-Season Test 2: Day 1 (1pm) | |||||
| Pos | Driver | Nat. | Team | Time | Laps |
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Scuderia Ferrari HP | 1m33.739s | 70 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | 1m34.052a | 54 |
| 3 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1m34.158s | 69 |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | 1m35.560s | 12 |
| 5 | Alex Albon | THA | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 1m35.690s | 55 |
| 6 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 1m35.898s | 61 |
| 7 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Oracle Red Bull Racing | 1m36.188s | 20 |
| 8 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | TGR Haas F1 Team | 1m36.418s | 65 |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 1m36.536s | 28 |
| 10 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 1m36.741s | 49 |
| 11 | Arvid Lindblad | GBR | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 1m36.769s | 75 |
| 12 | Liam Lawson | NZL | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 1m36.871s | 15 |
| 13 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Scuderia Ferrari HP | 1m37.037s | 14 |
| 14 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1m37.094s | 15 |
| 15 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 1m38.177s | 7 |
| 16 | Sergio Perez | MEX | Cadillac F1 Team | 1m38.191s | 24 |
| 17 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 1m38.263s | 9 |
| 18 | Gabriel Bortoleto | BRA | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 1m39.484s | 6 |
| 19 | Ollie Bearman | GBR | TGR Haas F1 Team | 1m39.837s | 14 |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | ARG | BWT Alpine F1 Team | No time set | 6 |
12:59
Red flag
Red flag! Lance Stroll has spun off and beached his Aston Martin into the gravel.
It looks as though something broke on the back of the AMR26 as Stroll entered Turn 11, sending him spinning off.
That doesn't look like driver error.
12:53
Oscar Piastri jumps up to fourth place in the timesheet on a 1m35.560s.
12:50
Big lock up for Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton is the latest driver to go for an adventure down in the Turn 1 run-off area.
The seven-time world champion locks up both fronts on his Ferrari and had no chance of getting it slowed down in time to make the corner.
Hamilton avoids further drama and continues on his way.
12:46
What does Verstappen make of the new Red Bull?
Speaking during the earlier FIA press conference, Max Verstappen said of Red Bull's RB22: “Overall it has been very positive for us but at the same time there are little things we need to improve on. That showed last week and this week. Small things we need to work on."
The four-time world champion is not in action on Wednesday but he will be driving on Thursday.
Max Verstappen
12:43
Lance Stroll is about to emerge in the Aston Martin, after power unit issues restricted Fernando Alonso to just 28 laps in the morning.
12:31
Lewis Hamilton positive about 2026 Ferrari
Before getting in the 2026 Ferrari car, Lewis Hamilton spoke positively about his initial feelings in the SF-26 and how he feels heading into his sophomore F1 season in red.
You can read his full thoughts here ⬇️
LEWIS HAMILTON 'MORE CONNECTED' to FERRARI F1 2026 CAR
Lewis Hamilton
12:24
Isack Hadjar rejoins the action for Red Bull after the issues that kept him garage-bound for much of the morning.
12:16
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton heads out in his Ferrari for the first time this afternoon.
12:04
Ollie Bearman is the first driver to emerge out on track for Haas, having taken over from team-mate Esteban Ocon.
Bearman is quickly joined by Liam Lawson in the Racing Bulls.
12:00
Afternoon session underway!
Back on track, we have a green light and the afternoon session is go!
11:20
Hamilton, Verstappen and Alonso in press conference
There is an FIA press conference taking place during the lunch break, featuring Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.
We will bring you the best of what they have to say throughout the afternoon!
11:07
Morning report
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc produced the fastest lap of F1 2026 pre-season testing so far on the opening morning of the second test in Bahrain, while Red Bull and Aston Martin both hit trouble.
You can read our report from Wednesday morning here ⬇️
FERRARI SET PACE, RED BULL HIT TROUBLE AS SECOND BAHRAIN F1 TEST BEGINS
Charles Leclerc produced the fastest lap of testing so far
11:03
Lap times after four hours
| 2026 F1 Bahrain Pre-Season Test 2: Day 1 (11am) | |||||
| Pos | Driver | Nat. | Team | Time | Laps |
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Scuderia Ferrari HP | 1m33.739s | 70 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | 1m34.052a | 54 |
| 3 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1m34.158s | 69 |
| 4 | Alex Albon | THA | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 1m35.690s | 55 |
| 5 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 1m35.898s | 61 |
| 6 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Oracle Red Bull Racing | 1m36.188s | 13 |
| 7 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | TGR Haas F1 Team | 1m36.418s | 65 |
| 8 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 1m36.536s | 28 |
| 9 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 1m36.741s | 49 |
| 10 | Arvid Lindblad | GBR | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 1m36.769s | 75 |
| 11 | Sergio Perez | MEX | Cadillac F1 Team | 1m38.191s | 24 |
11:02
Leclerc tops morning session
The chequered flag falls and that's it for the morning session, which is topped by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
10:44
We've just witnessed a bit of a fun wheel-to-wheel battle between Kimi Antonelli and Alex Albon.
Antonelli dived past Albon's Williams at Turn 13, which is not a traditional overtaking spot in Bahrain.
10:35
Here's the lesser-spotted, two-toned Cadillac of Sergio Perez, who is back out for another run following another fairly lengthy stint in the garage.
Sergio Perez
10:15
Leclerc hits 50 laps for Ferrari
Ferrari continue to enjoy flawless reliability as Charles Leclerc racks up his 50th lap of the morning in his SF-26.
The Monegasque joins Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, Haas' Esteban Ocon and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad as the drivers to reach a half-century or more.
Lando Norris is just shy of that milestone, having done 49 laps in his McLaren.
10:00
Lap times after three hours
| 2026 F1 Bahrain Pre-Season Test 2: Day 1 (10am) | |||||
| Pos | Driver | Nat. | Team | Time | Laps |
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Scuderia Ferrari HP | 1m33.739s | 43 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren Mastercard F1 Team | 1m34.052a | 49 |
| 3 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team | 1m34.158s | 48 |
| 4 | Alex Albon | THA | Atlassian Williams F1 Team | 1m35.690s | 36 |
| 5 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team | 1m35.898s | 39 |
| 6 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Oracle Red Bull Racing | 1m36.188s | 13 |
| 7 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | TGR Haas F1 Team | 1m36.418s | 45 |
| 8 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team | 1m36.536s | 28 |
| 9 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Audi Revolut F1 Team | 1m36.741s | 37 |
| 10 | Arvid Lindblad | GBR | Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team | 1m36.769s | 52 |
| 11 | Sergio Perez | MEX | Cadillac F1 Team | 1m40.892s | 14 |
09:56
Aston Martin confirm PU problem
We have heard back from Aston Martin, with a spokesperson confirming it has suffered a PU-related issue which the team is currently checking.
Fernando Alonso has been stuck in the garage for some time now, having completed 28 laps so far this morning.