F1 Bahrain testing: Mercedes is fast, but Red Bull-Ford looks ‘scary’ on straights
Bahrain: The first official pre-season test of Formula One’s radical new 2026 era concluded Friday in Bahrain, leaving the paddock with a split narrative: Mercedes owns the stopwatch, but Red Bull may own the straights.
The three-day session at the Bahrain International Circuit provided the first true look at the 50/50 split power units and active aerodynamics that will define the sport for the next decade.
Mercedes Logic: Pace Over Reliability
The "Silver Arrows" ended the test at the top of the timesheets, though their garage remained a hive of nervous activity following multiple technical "gremlins."
- The Record: 19-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli set the week’s benchmark with a 1:33.669, leading a Mercedes 1-2 alongside George Russell.
- The Caveat: Despite the speed, Mercedes recorded the second-lowest mileage of the test (282 laps) after being sidelined by suspension and power unit issues on Wednesday and Thursday.
- The Verdict: Russell admitted the team has "taken a step back" to address reliability before the second test.
The Red Bull-Ford "Power Surge"
While seventh on the lap charts, Max Verstappen and his new Red Bull-Ford engine emerged as the most-feared combination in the pit lane.
- Verstappen’s Endurance: The three-time champion logged 197 laps, the highest of any individual driver, demonstrating immediate reliability for the team's first in-house engine.
- The "One Second" Claim: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed GPS data shows the Red Bull RB22 is gaining a staggering one second per lap on straights due to superior energy deployment.
- Hadjar’s Confidence: Rookie Isack Hadjar recovered from a Thursday hydraulic leak to finish 12th overall, later telling reporters his "gut feeling" is that the car is already a race-winner.
| Team | Fastest Lap | Total Laps | Status |
| Mercedes | 1:33.669 (Antonelli) | 282 | Fast but fragile |
| Williams | 1:36.665 (Albon) | 422 | Reliability kings |
| McLaren | 1:34.549 (Piastri) | 422 | Solid all-rounder |
| Ferrari | 1:34.209 (Hamilton) | 421 | Impressive consistency |
| Red Bull | 1:34.798 (Verstappen) | 343 | Hiding true pace |
Early Losers
Aston Martin and Cadillac appear to have the steepest mountains to climb. Fernando Alonso finished 21st out of 22 drivers, with teammate Lance Stroll suggesting the team is currently "four-and-a-half seconds off the pace." Meanwhile, the new Cadillac entry triggered a red flag on Friday morning after grinding to a halt with electrical failures.
The teams will remain in Sakhir for a second three-day test beginning February 18, which serves as the final rehearsal before the season opener in Australia on March 8.