F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain has concluded with Lando Norris and one group on the again foot after Lewis Hamilton gave a transparent response
Pre-season testing in Bahrain has formally concluded with the countdown on to March 4 for the beginning of the 2026 F1 season. Ferarri’s Charles Leclerc topped the ultimate day with a superb lap to complete 0.879s faster than defending champion Lando Norris.
As evidenced on Friday, the latter faces an actual risk from Ferrari within the opening few weeks of the season with Australia as the primary race. It was a blended few days for Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton with the Brit finishing solely a handful of laps and watching on from the Ferrari storage on Friday.
Regardless of that, and a really troublesome 2025 marketing campaign, he is stuffed with optimism and perception for the upcoming months. Additional down the pecking order, it was not an ideal begin to the season for Aston Martin with a battery points leading to Lance Stroll finishing simply six laps.
With all of that being stated, Specific Sport has bought you lined for the most recent F1 headlines as we head in direction of the primary race of the season in Melbourne…
Pink Bull reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda was pressured to make a fast escape after an F1 automotive caught hearth throughout a demo present run in San Francisco.
After dropping his seat as Pink Bull’s second driver to Isaak Hadjar on the finish of final season, Tsunoda is appearing because the group’s third-choice in F1 2026. The Japanese star struggled alongside Max Verstappen following his promotion to a Pink Bull seat after two races of the 2025 marketing campaign, scoring simply 33 factors in his 22 appearances on the grid.
However on Saturday, Tsunoda, who attended final week’s pre-season testing in Bahrain with Pink Bull, returned to the cockpit of a F1 automotive for the primary time for the reason that last race of final season in Abu Dhabi. Certainly, the 25-year-old took half in an illustration run in San Francisco.
Nevertheless, Tsunoda wanted to leap out of his automotive in fast trend after his automotive – the RB7 pushed by Sebastian Vettel throughout his second F1 title success in 2011 – caught hearth.
Yuki Tsunoda’s Pink Bull automotive caught hearth (Picture: )
Howdy and welcome to our stay protection of the F1 because the coundown continues forward of the primary race of the season.
Drivers took half in a three-day pre-season testing programme in Bahrain final week, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari quickest on Friday.
Keep tuned with updates all through the day…
16 hours in the past20:22 Charlie Malam
Mercedes in an excellent place
Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, is assured with the place the Silver Arrows are at after per week of testing.
Mercedes accomplished extra laps than every other group in Bahrain simply weeks earlier than the 2026 season will get underway.
Shovlin stated: “Sadly, our last day of pre-season testing wasn’t an ideal one. We suffered a difficulty on the Energy Unit facet which curtailed Kimi’s working at 49 laps.
“Regardless of that although, we did an excellent job of getting the automotive out comparatively early within the afternoon and general, we have been capable of full lots of helpful work with each drivers. We stored the give attention to set-up gadgets and future consistency in the present day, which allowed us to cowl fairly a little bit of floor.
“The aggressive image nonetheless is not really clear, however we all know that we now have loads of work forward as we finalise our preparations for Melbourne. We have put collectively a strong basis to construct from, wanting ahead to the problem forward, and excited to see how the W17 performs when racing.”
Mercedes loved a powerful week in Bahrain (Picture: Getty) 18 hours in the past18:14 Charlie Malam
Pierre Gasly ‘feeling constructive’
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly is optimistic for the upcoming season after 10 on-track days to date within the A526.
The Frenchman is assured Alpine can benefit from being a Mercedes energy unit buyer.
He stated: “I’m happy with our work within the final month, and it has been an unimaginable effort from everybody on the group.
“We have now lots to have a look at, and there are actually numerous areas the place we have to work exhausting for us to search out some enhancements.
“I’m feeling constructive, happy with all our exhausting work to date, and I’ll spend two days at Enstone on the simulator and with the group subsequent week to arrange for the return to racing.
“It’s an thrilling time, and I stay up for placing within the hours forward of Australia.”
19 hours in the past17:25 Luke Thrower
Lewis Hamilton confirms future
Lewis Hamilton has posted an replace on social media after pre-season testing with Ferrari got here to an finish, giving constructive ideas on his time with the brand new automotive and declaring that he’s going completely nowhere.
He stated: “That’s a wrap on testing. It’s inspiring to observe a group pull out all of the stops to construct a automotive. It’s probably the most fascinating a part of this job for me. All the things is constructed from scratch and designed and redesigned time and again.
“After which there are just a few of us who get to place that machine to the check. That feeling by no means will get previous. I wish to say an enormous thanks to everybody within the group again on the manufacturing unit for the exhausting work to get thus far!! I’m really grateful.
“I really like this job a lot and I really like working with my group and driving for the followers. I’m extremely fortunate to have the ability to do what I do, and I’m excited for the season forward.
“I’m re-set and refreshed. I’m not going anyplace, so persist with me. For a second, I forgot who I used to be, however due to you and your help you’re not going to see that mindset once more. I do know what must be achieved. That is going to be one hell of a season. I’ve given the whole lot to be right here in the present day. Let’s go group!!!”
Lewis Hamilton (Picture: Getty) 20 hours in the past16:52 Luke Thrower
Martin Brundle verdict on new F1 vehicles
Martin Brundle has given a constructive verdict on the brand new F1 vehicles, after watching pre-season testing. Regulation modifications signifies that the 2026 packages are slimmer and carry out in a different way to final season, drawing some criticism.
The Sky Sports activities pundit stated on social media: “I am having fun with the ’26 F1 vehicles shifting round a lot. Makes me admire the drivers much more, they cannot simply lean on large downforce and stability. There are many gremlins to be smoothed out however that’ll occur over the following few months.
“We could even get some nice corners like Copse and Eau Rouge ‘again’. The highest 4 look very shut, after all the pack can be scattered as all the time occurs with new regs, however I’ve little question we’re in a a lot better form than 2014.”
Martin Brundle (Picture: Getty) 21 hours in the past15:44 Luke Thrower
Honda assertion
Aston Martin have struggled with reliability over pre-season testing, with little time spent on the observe because of it. Engine producers Honda launched an announcement on Friday concerning the problems.
It reads: “Our final run with Fernando Alonso yesterday confirmed a battery-related concern that impacted our check plan with the Aston Martin F1 group. Because the, we now have been finishing up simulations on the check bench in HRC Sakura. As a consequence of this, and a scarcity of energy unit elements, we now have tailored in the present day’s run plan to be very restricted and consist solely of quick stints.”
It stays to be seen whether or not the brand new setup will be capable of stand up to scratch in time for the beginning of the season on March 8.
Aston Martin (Picture: Getty)
Former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese believes Isack Hadjar could possibly be the primary driver to hassle Max Verstappen as a brand new Pink Bull racer, as he seems set to make his mark as his teammate.
“It will likely be troublesome being quantity two to Max however, if you wish to present to the world that you’re a doable world champion, it’s good to evaluate your self with an individual like Max,” Patrese advised Specific Sport, through BetVictor. “Particularly the primary season, possibly he can’t beat Max – however he can put in an excellent efficiency in opposition to him.
“Then, being near a champion like him, he can study lots and possibly the following season he can actually hassle Max, if he is adequate. We’ll see. We noticed final 12 months that he was good and now he has an opportunity – not a simple likelihood, however all people who’s younger coming into the game has to battle with an skilled driver. He has to show himself and imagine in himself, in any other case you can’t imagine that he might be adequate to be world champion.”
Learn extra on Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar right here.
F1 testing (Picture: Getty) 21 hours in the past14:57 Mark Wakefield
Ferrari admit ‘concern’ with Lewis Hamilton’s automotive
Ferrari admitted this week that there’s an “concern” with Lewis Hamilton’s automotive with the brand new Method 1 season because of begin in a number of weeks.
Melbourne will host the primary grand prix of the season in Australia from March 6-8.
Nevertheless, Ferrari group principal Fred Vasseur has admitted not all is ideal with their automotive.
(Picture: Getty) 22 hours in the past14:14 Mark Wakefield
All eyes on Melbourne
With testing in Bahrain now full, the main target will now flip to the beginning of the 2026 Method 1 season.
The primary race will happen in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix.
Qualifying will start on March 6, with the race going down on March 8 on the Albert Park Circuit.
(Picture: Getty)
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali has admitted there could possibly be modifications to the variety of dash races for the upcoming season.
Domenicali acknowledged that there could possibly be 12 dash races for the 2026 F1 season primarily based on “suggestions from the followers”, and in addition teated that an previous venue might return to the calendar.
yesterday11:27 Kieran Horn
Russell on
Compared to Charles Leclerc and his feedback, George Russell has admitted pre-season testing was removed from constructive for him.
He stated: “The 2 begins I’ve made this week have been worse than my worst ever begin in Method 1 and Lewis down in P11 [grid slot, P5 in order] bought into P1.
“So at this stage, I do not suppose it issues how fast you might be. The factor that is going to journey you up goes to be that tallest hurdle.
“That is what we’re attempting to get our heads round proper now and we’re stumbling on some in the meanwhile.”
George Russell has opened up on a troublesome Bahrain pre-season testing (Picture: (Photograph by Mark Sutton – Method 1/Method 1 through Getty Photos)) yesterday10:52 Kieran Horn
Leclerc on his profitable pre-season testing
Charles Leclerc has spoken after topping the ultimate day of Bahrain pre-season testing.
He stated: “The check day was very clean, we ran by our programme and examined all of the issues we deliberate to.
“When it comes to efficiency, it is nonetheless obscure the place we actually stand as a result of groups are hiding their true kind, so it is necessary to not focus an excessive amount of on lap instances and put together for the primary race.
“We’ll construct step-by-step and attempt to perceive extract the utmost from our automotive, we now have lots of information to analyse earlier than we arrive in Melbourne and we’ll see how issues go as soon as we’re there.”
Charles Leclerc spoke out after Bahrain pre-season testing (Picture: (Photograph by Mark Sutton – Method 1/Method 1 through Getty Photos)) yesterday10:12 Kieran Horn
Aston Martin disaster after pre-season testing nightmare
It has not been an excellent few days of pre-season testing for Aston Martin!
Fernando Alonso noticed Thursday’s race simulation interrupted along with his tempo considerably slower than a number of of their midfield rivals, and solely marginally sooner than F1 debutants Cadillac.
The British racing group additionally accomplished the fewest laps of every other group in Bahrain.
With practically two-and-a-half hours remaining of the ultimate session, Aston Martin’s day was over as they may not safely run the engine for various laps at a time.
An absence of spare elements additionally impacted their day with it fairly clear a disaster has developed.
Aston Martin endured a pre-season testing to neglect in Bahrain (Picture: LAT Photos) yesterday09:31 Kieran Horn
Hamilton responds after disastrous 2025 season
Lewis Hamilton seems to have a brand new lease of life forward of the 2026 season following a disatrous debut marketing campaign with Ferrari.
He stated: “I’ve left the whole lot, all of final 12 months, behind me.
“I actually felt that I spent lots of time rebuilding over this winter, refocusing, actually getting my physique and my thoughts to a a lot better place.
“On the whole, simply ensuring that I’m capable of arrive feeling higher. And I might say I usually really feel personally in the perfect place that I’ve been in an extended, very long time.
“After which with the automotive, I feel we’ve began off fairly effectively to date. And it’s an thrilling time with this new technology of automotive as effectively, as a result of it’s all model new.”
Lewis Hamilton is stuffed with confidence forward of the brand new Method One season (Picture: (Photograph by Sam Bagnall/Sutton Photos)) yesterday09:00 Kieran Horn
Norris suffers blow
Pre-season testing didn’t fairly go to plan for Lando Norris with the 26-year-old going through an actual risk from a number of championship rivals.
Charles Leclerc seemingly must be thought of as one following the efficiency of Ferrari’s automotive in Bahrain.
Regardless of George Russell being fairly far off the tempo set by Leclerc, it’s nonetheless seen within the basic view of the paddock that Mercedes are favourites to win in Melbourne.
Max Verstappen additionally seems set for one more push in direction of the title with Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri additionally more likely to be within the working once more.
Lando Norris doesn’t look like the favorite to win in Melbourne (Picture: (Photograph by Sam Bagnall/Sutton Photos))
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yesterday08:22 Kieran Horn
Bahrain pre-season testing outcomes as Leclerc tops the pile
In case you missed it, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc got here out on prime on the ultimate day of Bahrain pre-season testing to place the strain on second-placed Lando Norris.
The previous accomplished a blistering lap to clock in a time 0.879s faster than the reigning champion.
Max Verstappen of Pink Bull got here simply behind that duo in third however was 1.117s behind Leclerc whereas George Russell was 1.205s off the tempo set by the Monaco native.
Charles Leclerc completed above a number of rivals together with George Russell (Picture: (Photograph by Mark Sutton – Method 1/Method 1 through Getty Photos)) yesterday07:52 Kieran Horn
Good morning
Howdy and welcome again to Specific Sport’s newest F1 protection following pre-season testing in Bahrain…
For all of the fallout from that and the most recent headlines forward of the primary race in simply two weeks, keep proper right here all through the day!
Charles Leclerc accomplished a superb lap on the ultimate day of pre-season testing in Bahrain (Picture: (Photograph by Joe Portlock/Getty Photos))
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