07:11
For reference, the fastest time set during the opening Bahrain test was a 1m34.669s from Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. So we are a few seconds adrift of that benchmark early on here.
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
07:07
McLaren's Lando Norris takes over with the fastest time, producing a 1m37.976s. That puts the world champion 0.380s clear of Charles Leclerc.
07:05
We have the first lap times on the board! Ferrari's Charles Leclerc sits top with a 1m38.356s, ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris in the McLaren.
07:02
Haas's Esteban Ocon grabs the honour of being the first driver out on track. He's quickly joined by Audi's Nico Hulkenberg, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and McLaren's world champion Lando Norris.
07:00
Day 1 is go!
Green light at the end of the pitlane and the track is live for the opening day of the second Bahrain test.
06:51
Two crucial meetings today
Away from the track, two crucial meetings will be held, the outcome of which could potentially have huge ramifications on the upcoming 2026 season.
F1's five engine manufacturers and governing body the FIA are meeting with the sport's commercial rights holder Formula One Management (FOM) to discuss the ongoing engine row over compression rates that has dominated pre-season.
Wednesday's other key meeting will be the F1 Commission, where safety concerns over race start procedures will be discussed. There is a chance that rule changes in both topics could be implemented before the opener in Melbourne on 8 March.
Mercedes are at the centre of the F1 engine row
06:45
The class of F1 2026
The official annual F1 pre-season photo is in...
06:40
Who is driving on Day 1?
21 of the 22 drivers are in action on the opening day on Wednesday. Only Max Verstappen is not taking part today, with Isack Hadjar completing a full day behind the wheel of the Red Bull RB22.
McLaren: Lando Norris (AM), Oscar Piastri (PM)
Mercedes: Kimi Antonelli (AM), George Russell (PM)
Red Bull: Isack Hadjar
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc (AM), Lewis Hamilton (PM)
Williams: Alex Albon (AM), Carlos Sainz (PM)
Racing Bulls: Arvid Lindblad (AM), Liam Lawson (PM)
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso (AM), Lance Stroll (PM)
Haas: Esteban Ocon (AM), Ollie Bearman (PM)
Audi: Nico Hulkenberg (AM), Gabriel Bortoleto (PM)
Alpine: Pierre Gasly (AM), Franco Colapinto (PM)
Cadillac: Sergio Perez (AM), Valtteri Bottas (PM)
06:31
Second and final 2026 F1 pre-season test begins
Good morning!
The second pre-season test in Bahrain is upon us. This is set to be a crucial final three days of running before the 2026 season gets underway for real with the Australian Grand Prix on 8 March in Melbourne.
A clearer picture of the pecking order should emerge over the next three days, with the action starting at 7am today.
We will be keeping you up to date with everything that happens on-track at the Bahrain International Circuit right here.