The initial pre-season test for 2026 in Bahrain has wrapped up, with all 11 teams and 22 drivers logging valuable time at the Bahrain International Circuit. Who clocked the most laps and who registered the fastest time? Here’s a summary of the vital statistics from the test…
McLaren
Total laps – 422
Fastest lap – 1m 34.549s (Oscar Piastri)
McLaren matched the highest lap tally during the test, reaching 422 laps alongside Williams, and secured the top spot on the first day of testing through reigning champion Lando Norris. Norris commented positively on the valuable insights gained during Day 2.
Mercedes
Total laps – 282
Fastest lap – 1m 33.669s (Kimi Antonelli)
Mercedes fell to the lower end of the lap count spectrum, yet still managed to post the fastest times, with George Russell initially leading on Day 3 before Kimi Antonelli outpaced him later on. Russell expressed concerns about the team’s relative performance after facing technical issues during the pre-season.
Red Bull
Total laps – 343
Fastest lap – 1m 34.798s (Max Verstappen)
Red Bull caught the attention of competitors, with Russell highlighting them as the top contenders. Though technical issues arose, they demonstrated good reliability with their new Ford Powertrains engine.
Ferrari
Total laps – 420
Fastest lap – 1m 34.209s (Lewis Hamilton)
Ferrari’s performance was strong, finishing close to the top of the lap count, but a late issue affected Hamilton’s run on the final day. Charles Leclerc remains cautious while evaluating the team’s overall performance.
