Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli

F1 Bahrain Testing as it happened: Kimi Antonelli lays down new Mercedes marker

Live updates from the second day of the second F1 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain.

KEY MOMENTS:

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli has produced the fastest lap of F1 pre-season testing on the penultimate day of running in Bahrain. 

Lewis Hamilton will conclude his pre-season programme by spending all day in the Ferrari, before teammate Charles Leclerc takes over for the final day. 

Ferrari has captured the attention of the F1 paddock by debuting an innovative 'upside down' rear wing design. 

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.

19 Feb 2026
07:44

There's been no sign of Valtteri Bottas so far this morning, with Cadillac the only team not to feature yet. 

It was a similar story on Wednesday for Cadillac, who had a compromised day of running, but there is no suggestion of any major issues at the American team.

07:33
Verstappen pips Norris

Max Verstappen usurps McLaren's Lando Norris by the smallest of margins - 0.005s to be exact - with a 1m34.620s in his Red Bull. 

07:27
Another fastest lap from Norris

Lando Norris is upping the pace for McLaren as he pulls further clear at the top. 

It's a 1m34.625s from the reigning world champion, which leaves him 1.468s ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Williams' Alex Albon, who is two seconds off the pace.

07:25
Sleeping on the job

Liam Lawson caught having a cheeky nap while at work. 

Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson
07:20
Norris fastest for McLaren

Further changes at the top as Lando Norris takes P1 with a 1m35.406s in his McLaren. 

07:16

Wednesday's pacesetter George Russell now has the quickest time, producing a 1m38.247s in his Mercedes. We are still way off the pace we have been seeing during pre-season testing here. 

Russell's benchmark on day one, for reference, was a 1m33.459s. 

07:08

A flurry of action to start the day, with 10 drivers already taking to the track. 

Max Verstappen has the early fastest time in his Red Bull with a 1m38.955s, 0.715s clear of Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari. 

Liam Lawson, meanwhile, is miles off the pace, clocking a 2m07.024s lap in his Racing Bulls. 

07:00
Thursday's action underway

The track is live and the penultimate day of the second Bahrain test - and 2026 pre-season testing - is go, go, go!

06:44
Who else is in action on Thursday?

McLaren: Lando Norris (AM), Oscar Piastri (PM)

Mercedes: George Russell (AM), Kimi Antonelli (PM)

Red Bull: Max Verstappen 

Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton 

Williams: Alex Albon 

Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson 

Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso (AM), Lance Stroll (PM)

Haas: Ollie Bearman (AM), Esteban Ocon (PM)

Audi: Gabriel Bortoleto (AM), Nico Hulkenberg (PM)

Alpine: Franco Colapinto 

Cadillac: Valtteri Bottas (AM), Sergio Perez (PM)

06:40
Max Verstappen returns for Red Bull

After watching teammate Isack Hadjar complete a full day of running on Wednesday, four-time world champion Max Verstappen returns to action for Red Bull. 

Verstappen will be behind the wheel of the RB22 all day on Thursday, before the pair share running on the third and final day to round out pre-season. 

Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen
06:30
Penultimate day of pre-season test!

Good morning and welcome to Crash.net's live coverage of pre-season testing ahead of the 2026 F1 campaign. Today marks the penultimate day of running in the second pre-season test in Bahrain.

George Russell led the way for Mercedes as the final test begun on Wednesday, while rivals Red Bull, Aston Martin and even Ferrari ran into trouble at various points throughout the day.

What does Thursday have in store? We will be keeping you up to date with all the on-track action in Sakhir as we get into the business end of pre-season testing. 
 

Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter

Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox