Formula 1 Pre-season Testing: Mercedes duo leads the way on final day in Sakhir

Sakhir, February 13, 2026: The opening pre-season test of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign concluded in emphatic fashion at the Bahrain International Circuit, with Mercedes locking out the top two positions on the timesheets and laying down an early marker ahead of the new season.

Rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli set the benchmark with a blistering lap of 1:33.669s, edging out teammate George Russell by 0.249 seconds. Just behind the Silver Arrows duo, Lewis Hamilton slotted into third for Ferrari with a best effort of 1:34.209s. All three drivers were running on Pirelli’s C3 compound, and notably, their laps stood as the fastest recorded across the entire three-day test in Sakhir.

Over the full 24 hours of running from Wednesday to Friday, Antonelli and Russell were the only drivers to dip below the 1:34 barrier, underlining Mercedes’ strong early pace. Oscar Piastri finished fourth on the final day and proved competitive on the harder rubber, posting a 1:36.234s on the C2 and a 1:36.899s on the C1. However, the outright best times on those respective compounds remain with Lando Norris, who set a 1:34.669s on C2, and Max Verstappen, who clocked a 1:35.631s on C1.

Race simulations were once again a key focus for several teams, continuing a trend seen earlier in the week. Piastri completed long stints of 24 laps on the C1 and 22 laps on the C2, gathering valuable data for race conditions. Meanwhile, Mercedes concentrated on extended C3 runs, with both Antonelli and Russell completing 18 laps each on the medium compound.

According to Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola, the Bahrain test provided encouraging validation of the tyre development work carried out during last year’s mule car programme and the recent Barcelona shakedown. Compound characteristics have aligned with expectations, with drivers reporting positive feedback. The new-generation tyres have demonstrated improved mechanical resistance, reduced graining, and better control of overheating.

Isola also highlighted how drivers are still adapting to the updated power delivery systems. Evidence of flat spots suggested revised corner-entry approaches, while the stronger electric power delivery on corner exit has led to increased rear axle slip, raising tyre surface temperatures and causing slight grip loss.

Tyre usage data from Friday’s eight-hour session revealed the C3 as the most popular compound, accounting for 687 laps (48%). The C2 completed 431 laps (30%), while the hardest C1 covered 306 laps (21%). Track temperatures peaked at 44°C, with ambient conditions ranging between 27°C and 33°C, slightly warmer than earlier in the week.

Notably absent from Friday’s running were Norris, Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), and Arvin Lindblad (Racing Bulls).

Across all three days, teams collectively covered an impressive 20,673 kilometres, with 51% of the total distance completed on the C3 compound. In terms of tyre sets, 144 C3 sets were used, compared to 79 C2 sets and 42 C1 sets.

With the first pre-season test complete, teams now take a brief pause before returning to Bahrain next Wednesday for the second and final test session. While only the three hardest slick compounds (C1–C3) were available this week, teams will next have access to the full Pirelli range from C1 to C5, with an allocation of 24 sets. Used sets from the opening test, provided they have no more than nine laps completed, may also be carried over.

As preparations intensify, the next round of testing is expected to shift further towards performance-focused runs—though, as always in Formula 1, teams are unlikely to reveal their full hand before the lights go out for the season opener.