Leclerc Leads Ferrari’s Strong Showing at Bahrain F1 Testing

The second and final 2026 pre-season Formula 1 test commenced at the Bahrain International Circuit on Wednesday, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari setting the pace during the morning session. This performance follows McLaren team principal Andrea Stella’s pre-test assessment of Ferrari’s competitive race pace as reported by Gulf News.

Morning Session Results

Leclerc achieved a fastest lap time of 1m 33.739s, placing him three-tenths of a second ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and a further tenth ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. The session saw teams utilizing the Bahrain International Circuit for crucial pre-season preparations as detailed on the official Bahrain International Circuit website.

Afternoon Session and Driver Rotations

Following the morning session, drivers rotated, with teammates taking over for the afternoon runs. Red Bull’s Hadjar was the only driver scheduled for a full day of testing, even as Max Verstappen opted to begin his testing program on Thursday.

Other Notable Performances

Williams, having missed the Barcelona shakedown, demonstrated recovery by securing the fourth position with Alex Albon. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Hadjar completed the top six. The Bahrain International Circuit, opened in 2004, has become a key venue for Formula 1 in the Middle East according to the official Bahrain Grand Prix website.

Technical Analysis

F1 TV’s technical expert, Sam Collins, analyzed upgrade offerings from various teams, including a special exhaust wing developed by Ferrari. Details on the performance implications of this innovation are available through F1 TV’s Tech Talk segment from Bahrain.

Looking Ahead

Testing continues at the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday and Friday, with Verstappen expected to join the track. Teams will continue refining their setups and gathering data in preparation for the upcoming Formula 1 season.