The first session of the 2026 pre-season tests in Bahrain will have limited television coverage, with only one hour of broadcast in the afternoon. Only the final session will be fully produced and aired on TV.
Gradual increase in media coverage for winter testing
The technical and regulatory revolution in Formula 1 has expanded the winter test schedule from three to nine days. Despite this, television coverage will remain consistent with previous winters. The Formula One Management (FOM) had not previously provided details regarding the TV broadcast plans for the 2026 winter tests between the end of 2025 and the start of 2026.
From Monday, January 26 to Friday, January 30, each team will have access to three testing days at Barcelona. Teams have full discretion over how they use their days, and McLaren has already confirmed that it will not be on track on Monday. There will be no television coverage in Barcelona, and the tests will be held behind closed doors.
Bahrain test sessions and TV coverage
The two subsequent sessions are scheduled to take place in Bahrain from February 11-13 and February 18-20. The first Bahrain session will not be fully broadcast on television. According to information confirmed to Scuderiafans.com, from February 11-13, TV coverage will be limited to just one hour during the afternoon portion of the session.
From February 18-20, however, the tests will be fully produced and broadcast, allowing fans to watch all the action live on TV. Overall, this means that 27 hours of testing will have television coverage: three hours from February 11-13 and 24 hours from February 18-20.
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