2026 Bahrain (actual) pre season testing
Discussion
Finally it's nearly time to see the 'real' 2026 cars! Much of what was run at Barcelona was unrepresentative of final aero design, it was chiefly about powertrain proving and learning.
The cars we will see next week will be closer to 'final' and then the following week (two weeks testing at Bahrain this season), they will be refined and tested in an even further evolved state - before one final raft of changes expected before the first GP weekend of the season in Melbourne.
As ever, we won't learn any absolute truths from pre season testing, but it should be evident who's happy and who's struggling, especially given the extent of the regs change for this season.
2026 Bahrain Testing Schedule
Test 1: Wednesday 11 February – Friday 13 February.
Test 2: Wednesday 18 February – Friday 20 February.
Track Times: Both tests run from 07:00 to 16:00 GMT (10:00 to 19:00 local time).
F1 TV & Broadcast Coverage
Following the private "shakedown" in Barcelona that had no live coverage, the Bahrain tests will have phased broadcasting:
Test 1 (Feb 11–13): Limited Coverage. Only the final hour of each day (15:00–16:00 GMT) will be broadcast live on F1 TV Pro and partner networks like Sky Sports.
Test 2 (Feb 18–20): Full Coverage. Every session will be broadcast live in full, covering the entire 9-hour track day.
Live Timing: Unlike the Barcelona test, live timing is expected to be available for both Bahrain sessions via the F1 Live Timing page.
The cars we will see next week will be closer to 'final' and then the following week (two weeks testing at Bahrain this season), they will be refined and tested in an even further evolved state - before one final raft of changes expected before the first GP weekend of the season in Melbourne.
As ever, we won't learn any absolute truths from pre season testing, but it should be evident who's happy and who's struggling, especially given the extent of the regs change for this season.
2026 Bahrain Testing Schedule
Test 1: Wednesday 11 February – Friday 13 February.
Test 2: Wednesday 18 February – Friday 20 February.
Track Times: Both tests run from 07:00 to 16:00 GMT (10:00 to 19:00 local time).
F1 TV & Broadcast Coverage
Following the private "shakedown" in Barcelona that had no live coverage, the Bahrain tests will have phased broadcasting:
Test 1 (Feb 11–13): Limited Coverage. Only the final hour of each day (15:00–16:00 GMT) will be broadcast live on F1 TV Pro and partner networks like Sky Sports.
Test 2 (Feb 18–20): Full Coverage. Every session will be broadcast live in full, covering the entire 9-hour track day.
Live Timing: Unlike the Barcelona test, live timing is expected to be available for both Bahrain sessions via the F1 Live Timing page.
Sadly (in a manner of speaking) I will be on holiday from 19 Feb so will miss the Live testing...
Can't wait to see how this goes (and who conks out). But I still think the bottom line is we won't really know that much (to an extent in relation to the top teams anyways) until they hit the track in Australia, and even then I suspect 3-4 races will be needed to see how they are on a variety of circuits.
Can't wait to see how this goes (and who conks out). But I still think the bottom line is we won't really know that much (to an extent in relation to the top teams anyways) until they hit the track in Australia, and even then I suspect 3-4 races will be needed to see how they are on a variety of circuits.
Jasandjules said:
Sadly (in a manner of speaking) I will be on holiday from 19 Feb so will miss the Live testing...
Can't wait to see how this goes (and who conks out). But I still think the bottom line is we won't really know that much (to an extent in relation to the top teams anyways) until they hit the track in Australia, and even then I suspect 3-4 races will be needed to see how they are on a variety of circuits.
Indeed. You can normally tell who's looking good Vs who's looking terrible - but not the cars exact competitive order. Certainly not who's overall got the 'best car'.Can't wait to see how this goes (and who conks out). But I still think the bottom line is we won't really know that much (to an extent in relation to the top teams anyways) until they hit the track in Australia, and even then I suspect 3-4 races will be needed to see how they are on a variety of circuits.
moffspeed said:
Yep, it used to be an easier winter with the stadium RoCs, African Dakars & the proper Autosport show.
Maybe time to reintroduce the Tasman series, get the current F1 lot down to Aus/NZ to drive current F2 cars or, just maybe, F5000 cars.
That would be something .
Would never work. Sorry.Maybe time to reintroduce the Tasman series, get the current F1 lot down to Aus/NZ to drive current F2 cars or, just maybe, F5000 cars.
That would be something .
1) There only 7 weeks between the end of F1 season 2025 and start of 2026 testing. Most drivers are based in Europe. Adding another small series on the other side of the world makes no sense - and they need a break!
2) There is no way you would let a prized asset, worth millions each year to race in that... see Kubica. Max is a bit of an exception as he can write his own rules.
3) This isnt the 1960s.
4) Timezone would be rubbish for most viewing audiences.
5) Could you apply it to test/reserve drivers? Maybe but I suspect they are needed for a lot of simulator testing in the Winter.
It's a bit like asking to bring back the Mille Miglia in its original form. A nice romantic idea, but its 2026...
If you have 16 minutes to waste you could always watch this.
For the youngsters here they used to race at Crystal Palace.
The commentator isn’t bad either.
https://youtu.be/cawBXWWgqCI?si=OmSTSfozZ3QLXNm_
For the youngsters here they used to race at Crystal Palace.
The commentator isn’t bad either.
https://youtu.be/cawBXWWgqCI?si=OmSTSfozZ3QLXNm_
vaud said:
Would never work. Sorry.
1) There only 7 weeks between the end of F1 season 2025 and start of 2026 testing. Most drivers are based in Europe. Adding another small series on the other side of the world makes no sense - and they need a break!
2) There is no way you would let a prized asset, worth millions each year to race in that... see Kubica. Max is a bit of an exception as he can write his own rules.
3) This isnt the 1960s.
4) Timezone would be rubbish for most viewing audiences.
5) Could you apply it to test/reserve drivers? Maybe but I suspect they are needed for a lot of simulator testing in the Winter.
It's a bit like asking to bring back the Mille Miglia in its original form. A nice romantic idea, but its 2026...
I know Autosport was a bit s1) There only 7 weeks between the end of F1 season 2025 and start of 2026 testing. Most drivers are based in Europe. Adding another small series on the other side of the world makes no sense - and they need a break!
2) There is no way you would let a prized asset, worth millions each year to race in that... see Kubica. Max is a bit of an exception as he can write his own rules.
3) This isnt the 1960s.
4) Timezone would be rubbish for most viewing audiences.
5) Could you apply it to test/reserve drivers? Maybe but I suspect they are needed for a lot of simulator testing in the Winter.
It's a bit like asking to bring back the Mille Miglia in its original form. A nice romantic idea, but its 2026...
t in recent years, but it was still a car related day out, and really helped to break up the monotony of January. I just didn't realise how much until this year 
tight fart said:
If you have 16 minutes to waste you could always watch this.
For the youngsters here they used to race at Crystal Palace.
The commentator isn t bad either.
https://youtu.be/cawBXWWgqCI?si=OmSTSfozZ3QLXNm_
Never get bored watching those videos For the youngsters here they used to race at Crystal Palace.
The commentator isn t bad either.
https://youtu.be/cawBXWWgqCI?si=OmSTSfozZ3QLXNm_
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