F1 Bahrain pre-season test: Leclerc fastest as unreliability hits Mercedes, Red Bull

Charles Leclerc topped the second morning of Formula 1’s opening Bahrain pre-season test, as Mercedes and Red Bull were hit by reliability trouble alongside Cadillac.
About an hour and 15 minutes into the session, Leclerc drove Ferrari’s SF-26 to a 1m34.273s, which is four tenths faster than McLaren’s Lando Norris achieved on Wednesday.
Norris’ own 1m34.669s benchmark was set on …Keep reading

Sainz offers intriguing F1 2026 engine insight as Red Bull Ford “a step ahead”

Williams driver Carlos Sainz says Red Bull Ford’s power units have looked “a step ahead”, backing similar comments by Mercedes, as he offered fresh insight into how to get the best of out the 2026 generation of cars.
On Wednesday, Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said Red Bull Ford’s power units are currently the benchmark in Bahrain winter testing, singling out the new manufacturer’s outstanding …Keep reading

F1 Bahrain pre-season test: Norris leads from Verstappen on opening day

McLaren’s Lando Norris opened the book on the first day of official Formula 1 pre-season testing by going 0.129s faster than Max Verstappen, although the Red Bull driver completed more laps than McLaren managed all day.
Oscar Piastri set a best time of 1m35.602s over 54 laps in the morning, before Norris took over the MCL40 and set the fastest time of the day – 1m34.669s – in the afternoon …Keep reading