F1 Bahrain test: Fred Vasseur satisfied with Ferrari mileage but says performance “is a separate matter”. Ferrari completes 149 laps on the third day of Bahrain F1 testing.

The third day of Formula 1 testing in Bahrain has also come to a close, with Ferrari once again adding valuable mileage to its tally. The SF-26 completed 149 laps over the course of the day, leaving Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur satisfied with the work carried out — even if he insists that outright performance “is a separate matter.”

It was another very positive day for the Ferrari SF-26 during the Bahrain F1 test. The Maranello car covered a total of 149 laps, first in the hands of Charles Leclerc and later with Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel. The fastest time of the day for Ferrari was set by the Monegasque driver, who recorded a 1:34.209 on C3 tyres, narrowly beating Hamilton’s 1:34.533 on the same compound.

Ferrari continues to collect crucial data from Sakhir. Yesterday’s 149 laps — equivalent to 808 kilometres — add to the mileage accumulated in previous sessions, bringing the total to 423 laps, or 2,291 kilometres. As widely explained in recent weeks, the initial objective was never to focus immediately on pure performance. Understanding the new single-seater — particularly the Power Unit — remains the team’s central priority at this stage.

Nevertheless, what the SF-26 has shown in Bahrain has not gone unnoticed. More and more paddock insiders are beginning to believe in the Scuderia’s project. According to Charles Leclerc’s own comments, Ferrari does not appear to be too far behind Mercedes and Red Bull. With three more testing days still to come before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, confidence within the team is steadily growing.

Vasseur: “The priority is to build knowledge”

At the end of the day, Frédéric Vasseur explained the approach taken by the Maranello squad. “In this very early part of the season, the goal is to make the most of the first test sessions by accumulating mileage and gathering as much data as possible. So far everything has gone according to plan from an operational point of view, with good reliability and many laps completed, which is important both for our preparation and for analysing the data once we return to the factory.”

He then clarified Ferrari’s priorities moving forward. “We will use this information to continue improving the car and our understanding of all the procedures. Performance is a separate matter: the priority at this stage is to build knowledge and put ourselves in the best possible position ahead of Melbourne, knowing that we still have time to make further steps forward.”

With strong reliability, consistent mileage and a clear development roadmap, Ferrari leaves the third day of Bahrain testing encouraged — while keeping its focus firmly on understanding and refinement rather than chasing headline lap times.

Frédéric Vasseur’s methodical approach therefore suggests a Ferrari team that is no longer chasing “winter championships” but is instead building a bulletproof foundation for the 2026 campaign. By focusing on the 2,291km of data rather than the top of the leaderboards, the Scuderia is ensuring that when they finally do turn up the power in Melbourne, the SF-26 will be a known and reliable quantity.