The official timetable for the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season tests in Bahrain has now been revealed, but it comes with an important change that will affect fans following the action on television. One of the scheduled sessions will feature limited TV coverage, following a decision that alters the original broadcast plan for the opening phase of testing.
Formula 1 teams will once again gather at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir to begin preparations for the new season, but viewers will not be able to watch every lap live during the first test window. The revised schedule confirms when the cars will be on track and clarifies exactly where fans can follow the action.
Following the Barcelona test, several positive indications have reportedly emerged regarding the correlation between simulator data and on-track performance. The Ferrari SF-26 seen so far is not expected to be the final version that will compete in the opening race of the season in Australia. Further updates are planned, including a lighter chassis aimed at reducing overall weight and a newly developed floor with more detailed aerodynamic refinement.
The two Bahrain test sessions could therefore reveal more about the competitive picture than initial appearances might suggest. However, nothing will be truly defined until teams stop concealing their true performance levels. From 11 to 13 February, fans will still be able to see the cars on track in Sakhir, but only during the final hour of the afternoon session. Below are all the details.
Official schedule for the Sakhir test sessions
11–13 February
Live coverage only from 16:00 to 17:00, showing the final hour of the afternoon session
18–20 February
Morning session: 08:00–12:00 (10:00–19:00 local Bahrain time)
Afternoon session: 13:00–17:00
The first test session was originally expected to receive full television coverage, but Formula One Management has decided that only the last hour of the afternoon running will be broadcast live. This results in just three total hours of live coverage across those initial days, all of which will be shown live on Sky Sport F1.
Normal broadcast coverage will resume on 18, 19 and 20 February, when all sessions will once again be shown in full. As usual, teams will be allowed to use the midday break to have lunch and to change the seat if two drivers are sharing the same car on the same day.
The tests will be broadcast live on television by Sky Sport F1, while all onboard cameras from every car will also be available via F1TV. Interest in seeing this new generation of Formula 1 cars on track is extremely high, and anticipation is even greater among Ferrari fans.
Teams are expected to play their usual game of hide-and-seek with fuel loads and run plans, but it may still be possible to understand something about the competitive order already in Bahrain, before the championship heads to Australia for the first race of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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