Formula 1

F1.com's Lawrence Barretto looks back on the opening day of the second official 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain.

George Russell and Mercedes topped the timesheets as the second and final pre-season test of 2026 kicked off in Bahrain – leading the way from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

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George Russell has ended the first day of the second 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain on top, the Mercedes driver setting the pace ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, have issued a pair of updates following meetings of the F1 Commission and the F1 Power Unit Advisory Committee on Wednesday.

Lewis Hamilton has spoken of being “in the best place I’ve been in for a long time” ahead of the 2026 season, with the Briton also admitting to feeling “more connected” to Ferrari’s new car as he enters his second year of racing for the team.

Aston Martin have made changes to their trackside engineering team ahead of the 2026 season, with the squad expanding the structure in order to cope with the additional demands posed by the new technical regulations.

Charles Leclerc posted the fastest lap time as pre-season testing resumed on Wednesday – the Ferrari driver leading the way from McLaren’s Lando Norris and the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli.

Keep up to date with all the action - both on track and off it - as the 11 F1 teams work on preparations for the 2026 season. Live coverage of Day 1 in Bahrain.

The following drivers and teams will be back in action for the start of the second pre-season test in Bahrain.

Red Bull have estimated that they are sitting behind Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari in terms of outright performance after the opening pre-season test in Bahrain, despite the “remarkable job” done by the team’s new power unit division.

Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur is “convinced” that most teams will “bring huge upgrades” to the second pre-season test in Bahrain, with the Frenchman also setting out his expectations for how the development race could initially unfold.

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Cadillac have shared an update on when they expect to debut their own power unit in F1, with the new team still focused on their original target of 2029 whilst acknowledging that they will “speed up” the process if there are ways to do so.

Red Bull's Chief Designer Craig Skinner has left the Formula 1 team with immediate effect, the six-time World Champions have confirmed.

Aston Martin have admitted they are not where they want to be following the first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain, but there's still plenty of hope for the team's future ambitions.

F1 has announced a multi-year extension with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to host a Grand Prix in 2028, 2030, and 2032, in addition to the event scheduled in 2026. From this year, the race will also be re-named as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

It’s almost time for the final pre-season test of 2026, as teams continue their preparations for next month’s curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening, and how to follow the action…

McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has offered an early assessment of the pecking order in the build-up to the 2026 season, arguing that Ferrari and Mercedes appear to be the most competitive outfits as things stand.

Alpine have created a “much better” car for the upcoming season and F1’s overhauled regulations, according to Managing Director Steve Nielsen, who has also noted “big gains” with their new Mercedes power unit.