On the morning of Day 1 of the second 2026 Bahrain F1 test, Charles Leclerc finished in first position, demonstrating the strength of Ferrari both in single-lap pace and race simulations. The SF-26 features numerous extreme updates that have already received FIA approval. Here’s a detailed look at the work carried out.
Ferrari leads morning session with technical updates
Ferrari closed the morning session of Day 1 with Charles Leclerc in first place. The Italian team brought several extreme technical updates that were approved by the FIA, and Leclerc’s work with the SF-26 highlighted their effectiveness.
Today, Ferrari adjusted its driver lineup to test the new diffuser updates. The team split the program to allow both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to try the updates and provide feedback by the evening. Maranello has been aggressive with the rear-end development, and FIA approval, as reported by AutoRacer.it, only arrived last night. The SF-26 exploits several gray areas in the regulations, potentially offering significant advantages that rivals cannot replicate. Leclerc secured first place in the morning session, and here’s a full breakdown of the work performed.
Leclerc fastest, SF-26 improved in traction and stability
The Prancing Horse carried out several fast laps during the early morning hours. Leclerc posted a 1:33.739, then attempted additional laps on fresh tires to improve the time, without success. According to Federico Albano’s analysis, Charles Leclerc’s lap was very strong. The engine power is excellent, but the SF-26 particularly stands out in high-load corners. Of course, variables like fuel load and tire choice must always be considered compared to rivals. Charles continues to harvest energy in corners by using lower gears at higher revs to recharge the battery, discharging it on the climb of Turn 12. Overall, the car has improved in stability and traction, and the extreme diffuser work appears to be paying off.
In the snake section, where Charles Leclerc struggled last week, he was able to attack the corners with the throttle fully open, showing less indecision on corner exit. The car uses first gear and other low gears effectively for better energy recovery. The SF-26 performs strongly in corners requiring both mechanical balance and aerodynamic load. This represents a clear step forward for Ferrari. While rivals are keeping their data hidden, Ferrari has collected valuable information, including on tire management, with positive feedback in the garage.
70 laps completed in morning with consistent race pace
In the second part of the morning session, Ferrari focused on race pace and tire management. Leclerc demonstrated strong consistency, maintaining good rhythm despite the heat. A new engine cover with two cooling vents also appeared on the SF-26, complementing last week’s internal aerodynamic modifications. The first stint began around 10:15 with a used C3 tire for a flying lap followed by a race simulation. Here are the lap times:
- 1:38.716
- 1:37.716
- 1:38.755
- 1:38.363
- 1:38.640
- 1:38.525
- 1:39.227
- 1:39.249
- 1:39.665
- 1:39.434
- 1:39.659
- 1:39.637
- 1:41.525
The second stint began around 11:00, but live timing issues prevented the full lap record from being captured. Charles Leclerc remained stable around 38.3 seconds for multiple laps, even showing some controlled slides. At 11:33, he returned to simulate the final race pace with previously used medium tires. Due to live timing glitches, only a few laps were recorded:
- 1:39.052
- 1:39.183
- 1:39.894
- 1:40.049
- 1:39.965
- 1:40.752
In the afternoon session at 13:00, Lewis Hamilton will take to the track to test the SF-26 updates himself. In total, Charles completed an impressive 70 laps during the morning session.
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