The Bahrain winter testing of 2026 began under poor auspices for Mercedes and Red Bull, who faced major technical issues. Meanwhile, Ferrari and McLaren shone, racking up laps like pros. A scenario worthy of a racing movie where the heroes find themselves at a standstill, while the outsiders take the lead.
A Chaotic Start for Red Bull and Mercedes
The morning of this second day of testing was particularly challenging for two of the most feared teams in the paddock. Red Bull and Mercedes, who contend for the title every season, encountered technical problems that nearly halted their running during the first four hours. Isack Hadjar’s RB22, suffering from a hydraulic leak, could not leave the garage until the last seconds of the session, allowing him to complete only one installation lap. This made fans of the team shudder.
On the Mercedes side, the situation was hardly more promising. Kimi Antonelli, at the wheel of the W17, was forced to return to the pits after just three laps due to an issue with the power unit. As a result, the German team did not see their car on the track before the lunch break. A real blow for a team used to dominating.
Cadillac Causes a Red Flag… But Quickly Returns to the Track
Speaking of red flags, the first of the day was caused by Sergio Pérez, who had to immobilize his Cadillac after just ten minutes of the session. Fortunately, the interruption did not last long: the team managed to restart their car around 9:30 AM, barely 1 hour and 20 minutes after its stop. A small setback, but nothing critical.
For the rest of the grid, the running proved to be quite efficient. Several teams exceeded 60 laps during the morning. Ferrari, for example, continued its testing without a hitch, with Charles Leclerc completing 62 laps while setting the best time of the tests so far: 1’34″273. One could say the Monegasque went all out!
He was closely followed by Lando Norris’s McLaren, who also had a smooth morning with 64 laps on the board. The other two drivers who crossed the 60-lap mark were Pierre Gasly with the Alpine and Alexander Albon with his Williams. A good start for these teams that seem ready to play with the big boys this season.
Aston Martin and Haas Celebrate
Aston Martin also made a mark with 55 laps for Fernando Alonso, a figure identical to that achieved by Oliver Bearman with the Haas. The Racing Bulls reached the 50-lap mark, while the newcomers, Audi and Cadillac, completed 47 and 42 laps respectively. These performances show that even the rookies can hold their own during these tests, a good omen for the upcoming season.
The Return of Testing After the Lunch Break
In the last ten minutes of the morning, a second red flag was waved, but this time it was not due to an incident on the track. It resembled a routine exercise observed during these tests. In the end, only Hadjar had the opportunity to go out on track after this interruption.
Testing will resume at 1 PM and will be followed live on Motorsport.com. A dream opportunity for fans to see if Mercedes and Red Bull will manage to turn things around or if Ferrari and McLaren will continue their dominance.
Bahrain 2026 Winter Testing – Day 2 (Morning)
To conclude this first morning of tests, it is clear that the battle is on. Between the technical issues of the top teams and the solid performances of the outsiders, the season promises to be thrilling. Strategies will need to be refined, and every minute on the track will count. Hoping that these tests still hold surprises in the hours to come!
