F1 Testing Live: Lap Times, Schedule, and Results from Bahrain
The pre-season testing in Bahrain continues today, with teams gearing up for the 2026 F1 season and a complete overhaul of regulations that could bring a new era to the sport. While lap times during testing should be taken with a grain of salt, the first day at the Bahrain International Circuit didn't suggest a major shake-up. Reigning world champion Lando Norris posted the fastest lap in his McLaren, with Max Verstappen close behind.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff praised Red Bull's straight-line speed, while McLaren chief executive Zak Brown suggested the 'big four' (McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari) remain at the top. Audi's radical new sidepod design, however, turned heads, and Aston Martin struggled with power unit issues, completing only 36 laps.
Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration over the race engineer upheaval at Ferrari, which he believes will be detrimental to his chances this season. The team has yet to make an official statement regarding a replacement, but Hamilton expects another switch soon.
Here's a look at the lap counts by team on the opening day:
- Williams: 145
- Red Bull: 136
- Ferrari: 132
- Audi: 122
- Haas: 115
- McLaren: 112
- Cadillac: 107
- Mercedes: 86
- Alpine: 77
- Racing Bulls: 75
- Aston Martin: 36
The day one timesheet saw Lando Norris take the top spot, with Max Verstappen close behind. Verstappen completed the most laps (136), and Esteban Ocon was the only other individual to clear 100 laps.
Testing continues with a four-hour session from 7 am GMT to 11 am GMT, followed by a lunch break and an afternoon session from 12 pm GMT to 4 pm GMT. Stay tuned for live updates from The Independent's live blog!
