Fastest Lap Times Revealed as First F1 Test Concludes in Bahrain
The fastest lap times from the first testing week in Bahrain ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign have been revealed.
Following a private test held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last month, F1 teams returned to the track this week at the Bahrain International Circuit.
All 11 teams took part in the three-day session, with the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren putting in decent performances.
Meanwhile, the likes of Aston Martin and Cadillac endured a mixed week as they encountered several problems.
Advert
On Friday, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was forced to abandon his car after being put on a new plan by Ferrari.
Team boss Fred Vasseur explained to French TV channel Canal+ that it was part of a pre-determined plan by the Scuderia, whereby Hamilton would simply keep driving the car until it was close to the limit on fuel in order to test the tank's capacity.
Following the conclusion of the first testing week in Bahrain, the fastest lap times have been revealed.
According to Racing News 365, Mercedes came out on top, with Kimi Antonelli setting the best time of the week, which was a 1:33.669. The young Italian was closely followed by his teammate George Russell, who managed a 1:33.918.
Then came the Ferraris, with Hamilton clocking a 1:34.209 ahead of Charles Leclerc's best effort of 1:34.273.
After the Mercedes and the Ferraris, reigning world champions McLaren were fifth and sixth.
Oscar Piastri beat his teammate and defending world champion Lando Norris by setting a time of 1:34.549.
Norris only managed a fastest lap of 1:34.669.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was next, clocking a quickest lap of 1:34.798.
On the other hand, the slowest car of the week was Sergio Perez's Cadillac, with a time of 1:38.653.
Fastest lap times from the first Bahrain test
Kimi Antonelli – 1:33.669
George Russell – 1:33.918
Lewis Hamilton – 1:34.209
Charles Leclerc – 1:34.273
Oscar Piastri – 1:34.549
Lando Norris – 1:34.669
Max Verstappen – 1:34.798
Oliver Bearman – 1:35.394
Esteban Ocon – 1:35.578
Isack Hadjar – 1:35.610
Franco Colapinto – 1:35.806
Nico Hulkenberg – 1:36.291
Gabriel Bortoleto – 1:36.670
Pierre Gasly – 1:36.723
Alex Albon – 1:36.793
Liam Lawson – 1:36.808
Valtteri Bottas – 1:36.824
Carlos Sainz – 1:37.186
Arvid Lindblad – 1:37.470
Lance Stroll – 1:38.165
Fernando Alonso – 1:38.248
Sergio Perez – 1:38.653
Testing will resume next week in Bahrain ahead of the first race of the 2026 F1 season, which will be the Australian Grand Prix held around Albert Park in Melbourne.
Topics: Formula 1
Marcus Chan