Russell Sets Pace on Day One of Final F1 Pre-Season Test

George Russell of Mercedes topped the timesheets on the first day of the final 2026 Formula 1 pre-season test in Bahrain, setting a lap time of 1 minute 33.459 seconds. The performance sets the stage for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix, scheduled for March 6-8.

Tight Competition at the Top

The session saw incredibly close competition, with Oscar Piastri of McLaren finishing just 0.010 seconds behind Russell. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari secured the third-fastest time, trailing by 0.280 seconds. Lando Norris (McLaren) and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) followed in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

Testing Times

Here’s a look at the top ten fastest lap times from the first day of testing:

• 1. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:33.459
• 2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.010
• 3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.280
• 4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.593
• 5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.699
• 6. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) – +0.801
• 7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.840
• 8. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +1.654
• 9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +1.795
• 10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – +1.804

Other Notable Performances

Further down the order, Isack Hadjar of Red Bull finished sixth, while Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari secured seventh. Carlos Sainz (Williams), Franco Colapinto (Alpine), and Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) completed the top ten. Several other drivers experienced issues during the session, including Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) who had a brief off-track excursion, causing a red flag. Formula 1 reports that Red Bull was the only team not to change drivers on the first day, with Hadjar remaining in the car while the team addressed technical issues.

Looking Ahead

With only two and a half days of pre-season testing remaining, teams will be working diligently to refine their setups and gather crucial data before the start of the 2026 season. ESPN notes that Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull appear to be the frontrunners, though a clear favorite has yet to emerge. Max Verstappen is scheduled to drive for Red Bull throughout Thursday. Autosport highlights that several teams, including Ferrari, Red Bull, Aston Martin, and Cadillac, encountered challenges during the session.

George Russell currently competes in Formula One for Mercedes, having won five Grands Prix across seven seasons. He began competitive kart racing at the age of seven and has a history of success in junior formulae, including championships in BRDC F4, GP3 Series, and FIA Formula 2. Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of his career.