The countdown to the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing is officially underway. The start times for the opening days of the tests, which will kick off the new season, have just been confirmed. After months of preparation and speculation, the new 2026 cars are finally ready to hit the asphalt for their first real track sessions, although strictly behind closed doors.
The official debut of the 2026 cars will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where the teams will have the opportunity to carry out their initial shakedowns. These sessions are more than just a technical check: they are the first real test to understand how design and regulatory decisions translate into on-track performance, before moving on to Bahrain for the first fully official pre-season test of the year.
Bahrain test schedule
The Bahrain sessions will take place from February 11th to February 13th. Track activity will begin at 10:00 local time and continue until 19:00, providing nine full hours of work for each car. A second and final pre-season test will follow a week later, from February 18th to February 20th, with identical hours. During this session, the teams will consolidate the data collected during the first test and fine-tune strategies ahead of the season opener.
The Bahrain tests serve as the first real indicator of the direction each team has chosen for its 2026 car. Every lap completed, every set of tires analysed, and every telemetry data point gathered will be crucial to understanding which teams will start the season with tangible advantages and which will need to make urgent adjustments before the first official race.
| Test day | Bahrain time (AST) | European time (CET) | Session duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 February | 10:00 – 19:00 | 08:00 – 17:00 | 9 hours |
| 12 February | 10:00 – 19:00 | 08:00 – 17:00 | 9 hours |
| 13 February | 10:00 – 19:00 | 08:00 – 17:00 | 9 hours |
Where to watch the F1 tests on TV
Good news for fans: the Bahrain tests will be covered on television. Last year, coverage was provided by Sky Sport F1 as well as on F1 TV, and similar arrangements are expected for 2026. This means fans can follow the teams’ first laps of the new season and see the 2026 cars in action for the very first time.
Why the pre-season tests are important
Pre-season tests have often played a decisive role in Formula 1. In 2022, for example, the sessions revealed the critical porpoising problem, which significantly influenced the start of the championship. The 2026 regulations introduce completely new challenges. Among the most closely watched elements is the management of electrical power, which will now account for 50% of the total energy contribution compared to the thermal side — a change that could reshape performance balances on track.
Because these tests involve a new technical formula, they are crucial for teams to understand the level of their cars. However, not all teams are expected to run at 100% from the outset. Many will seek to hide the full potential of their new cars, as seen between 2016 and 2019, when Ferrari appeared dominant in testing, yet the championship later told a very different story.
Leave a Reply