F1 to have extra 2026 pre-season test with bizarre location selected

Formula 1 will reportedly take part in an extra testing session at a somewhat bizarre location.

Last week, the first official testing session ahead of the 2026 F1 season took place around the Bahrain International Circuit.

By the end of the week, Mercedes topped the time sheet as Kimi Antonelli set a quickest lap of 1:33.669. George Russell was second with a best effort of 1:33.918.

The Mercedes duo were followed by the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

Meanwhile, the slowest car of the week was Sergio Perez's Cadillac, with a time of 1:38.653.

This week, testing will resume in Bahrain, with teams looking to further familiarise themselves with the sport's new technical regulations.

On Tuesday, it was claimed that F1 drivers could take part in another test before the season begins.

As reported by Crash, F1's tyre supplier, Pirelli, will look to hold a wet tyre test in Bahrain, despite the country being one of the hottest and driest places on the racing calendar.

It has been noted that the Bahrain International Circuit offers the level of degradation that Pirelli want. However, they will have to work out how to make the track wet as the circuit is not equipped with a sprinkler system.

Testing took place in Bahrain last week. Image: Getty

Speaking about the decision, Pirelli Motorsport chief Mario Isola said: "We are trying to organise a wet [test] here in Bahrain. I am very confident because the track has an idea on how to wet the full circuit, not with the tanks but with another [sprinkler] system. And if they do that properly, we have an opportunity to test on a high-severity circuit in wet conditions.

"This is something that doesn't happen very often. So we have this opportunity, we want to use it in the best possible way. I have to say that the people of Bahrain are always very cooperative when we ask for strange requests. I called them and said: 'What if we plan a wet test in Bahrain? 'Yes, of course you can. Let us think about it.’"

Isola continued: "[It's not easy, because] we need consistency in the water level, because clearly the risk is that the inconsistency in water level is more important than the difference in prototypes.

"We will have an opportunity to test on a high severity circuit in wet conditions. This is something that doesn't happen very often. So we have this opportunity and we want to use it in the best possible way."