Mercedes has once again proven their dominance in the world of Formula 1 as they topped the Bahrain testing with their impressive pace. The team’s new driver, George Russell, also showed strong potential, adding to the excitement for the upcoming season. However, it wasn’t just Mercedes who impressed during the testing, as Ferrari and McLaren also showed promising results. On the other hand, Red Bull, Haas, and Cadillac struggled, facing challenges with the new 2026 rules that have complicated race starts.
The Bahrain testing, which took place at the Bahrain International Circuit, gave teams the opportunity to test their new cars and make any necessary adjustments before the start of the season. And it was Mercedes who stole the show once again, with their car showing impressive speed and reliability. The team’s reigning champion, Lewis Hamilton, was also in top form, setting the fastest lap time of 1:28.960 on the final day of testing.
But it wasn’t just Hamilton who showed strong performance. Mercedes’ new driver, George Russell, who joined the team from Williams, also made a strong impression. The young British driver set the second-fastest time of 1:29.041 on the final day, just behind his teammate Hamilton. This has raised expectations for Russell, who will be replacing Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes team this season.
Ferrari and McLaren also showed promising results during the testing. Ferrari’s new driver, Carlos Sainz, set the third-fastest time of 1:29.611 on the final day, proving that he has quickly adapted to his new team. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, also showed good pace, setting the fourth-fastest time of 1:29.746. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris set the fifth-fastest time of 1:29.780, followed by his teammate Daniel Ricciardo with a time of 1:29.927. This has given fans hope that the team will continue to improve and challenge the top teams this season.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for some teams during the testing. Red Bull, who were expected to be Mercedes’ main competition, faced challenges with their new car. Their new driver, Sergio Perez, struggled to find a good balance and set the ninth-fastest time of 1:30.187 on the final day. His teammate, Max Verstappen, also faced issues with the car and could only manage the 10th fastest time of 1:30.348. This has raised concerns for the team, who will need to work hard to catch up to Mercedes.
Haas and Cadillac also faced difficulties during the testing, with both teams struggling to find pace and reliability with their new cars. Haas’ new driver, Nikita Mazepin, had a tough time adjusting to the car and could only set the 19th fastest time of 1:32.566 on the final day. His teammate, Mick Schumacher, also faced challenges and set the 20th fastest time of 1:32.912. Meanwhile, Cadillac’s new driver, Romain Grosjean, could only manage the 18th fastest time of 1:32.166, followed by his teammate Kevin Magnussen with a time of 1:32.273.
One of the major talking points of the Bahrain testing was the new 2026 rules that have complicated race starts. The new rules state that drivers must start the race with a full tank of fuel, which means they will have to manage their fuel consumption throughout the race. This has raised concerns for teams, as it will require a different strategy and could potentially affect the outcome of the race.
Overall, the Bahrain testing has given us a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming season. Mercedes has once again shown their dominance, but Ferrari and McLaren have also shown that they will be strong contenders. Red Bull, Haas, and Cadillac will need to work hard to catch up, while the new 2026 rules have added a new challenge for all teams. With just a few weeks left until the start of the season, fans can’t wait to see how it all unfolds on the track.
