From active aero to power unit modes: What to watch during the Bahrain F1 tests. The 2026 Formula 1 season kicks off with second pre-season testing in Bahrain.

All set in Bahrain: Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull begin first pre-season comparisons

From Wednesday to Friday, the teams will conduct the second official pre-season testing session at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, preparing for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, which kicks off on 8 March in Australia. With entirely new regulations to test and cars featuring numerous developments, track action will run daily from 8:00 to 17:00 local time.

“Every mistake by the drivers will carry more weight; it won’t be easy. But I realise that for fans watching from home, it will be extremely fun,” said 2022 Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris, on the eve of the new season. Lando Norris highlighted how teams will begin to familiarise themselves with the sweeping regulatory changes during this second official testing session, spanning Wednesday through Friday this week. These three days, combined with another three days of testing next week, mark the true baptism of fire for a Formula 1 season that has effectively been reinvented from scratch.

Time to push on track

The 2026 regulations represent a genuine revolution in Formula 1. Everything has changed: chassis, power unit, and aerodynamics. Until now, teams have relied heavily on simulations, but these calculations will now face the ultimate test: real-world performance on track. Why is this Bahrain session so important? Unlike the previous Spanish tests, which focused primarily on system checks and initial reliability, Bahrain will see teams pushing harder. It will provide the first real opportunity for rival teams to compare pace, though the standings that matter most will remain those from the first qualifying session in Australia.

Modes and systems to test

The Bahrain circuit, with its 5.4-kilometre layout and temperatures ranging between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius at this time of year, promises to be a fascinating proving ground. This year, the FIA has granted teams additional track time, doubling the duration of testing sessions. Engineers and drivers will focus on numerous technical details, including active aerodynamics such as movable front and rear wing flaps. Teams will also experiment with the new Power Unit’s Boost, Overtake, and Recharge modes, which drivers must learn to manage strategically during races. Start procedures, reliability runs, and race simulations will remain key areas of focus, as always.

Each team will run a single car, with drivers alternating according to different strategies. Some teams will assign full days to each driver, while others will split sessions between drivers, following varied work programmes.

Team strategies and updates

During the Aston Martin car launch yesterday, technical director Adrian Newey stated that he expects significant development from all teams starting with this session, suggesting that the AMR26 will debut several upgrades. Ferrari is also expected to bring updates compared to the configuration seen during the first Spanish tests. Meanwhile, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella confirmed that the team will largely run the same setup as in Spain, focusing on data collection—a strategy consistent with recent seasons: a strong base first, then development aimed at increasing performance.

Watching Mercedes, Red Bull, and Audi

Mercedes will be a team to watch closely, to see if they can replicate the strong performance shown in their initial outing. The same applies to Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, with many praising the power unit developed in partnership with Ford. Attention will also be on Audi, whose power unit showed some early teething issues that will need verification during these sessions.

Timing will be monitored as usual, though it should be taken with caution: unknown fuel loads at different points of the sessions can significantly affect lap times. Fans can follow live text updates on our website from 8:00 to 17:00 each day, while Sky Sport F1 will provide live coverage from 12:55 until the end of each testing session.

The Bahrain test therefore marks the transition from theoretical simulation to the harsh reality of the asphalt as teams navigate the most radical technical shift in modern F1 history. With active aerodynamics and complex energy management modes now at the forefront, the three days in Sakhir will define which teams have mastered the 2026 revolution and which are still struggling with the steep learning curve. While the true pecking order remains hidden behind varied fuel loads and testing programs, the reliability of the new Ford and Audi power units will be the definitive storyline to watch as the countdown to Melbourne enters its final, high-stakes phase.