Norris leads Verstappen on F1 Bahrain pre-season test Day 1.

Lando Norris of McLaren commenced the initial day of official Formula 1 pre-season trials, posting a lap time 0.129 seconds quicker than Max Verstappen, despite the Red Bull competitor accumulating a higher lap count than McLaren achieved throughout the entire day.

Oscar Piastri established his best time of 1m35.602s across 54 laps during the morning session. Subsequently, Norris assumed control of the MCL40, recording the day’s quickest time at 1m34.669s in the afternoon, contributing an additional 58 laps to the car’s overall tally. This represents one lap beyond a full race distance at the Bahrain International Circuit. 

Predictably, due to the nascent stage of the vehicles, the unrubbered track conditions, strong wind gusts, and numerous drivers running with aerodynamic data collection gear, the initial lap times provided minimal thrill. As certain drivers intensified their efforts, multiple incidents of cars leaving the track occurred at Turn 10, primarily linked to the trailing wind but also influenced by diverse braking and energy recovery strategies.

Verstappen emerged as the quickest during the morning session, recording a 1m35.433s lap, which was notably slower than Piastri’s 1m29.841s pole position time from the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix. However, what truly stood out – besides Verstappen being the first participant to achieve 100 laps – was the Red Bull’s noticeable capacity to utilize greater electrical power than its competitors across successive laps.

In the end, Verstappen completed 136 laps, and his quickest time of 1m34.798s – achieved during a seven-lap run on soft tires in the late afternoon – was only 0.129s behind Norris.

Charles Leclerc’s top time for Ferrari trailed Norris’s by 0.521s, yet he completed 80 laps, marking a fruitful day for the Scuderia. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, posted the seventh-fastest lap of the day during the morning session, covering 52 laps.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

Esteban Ocon recorded the second-highest number of laps for the day, completing 115 circuits in the Haas VF-26 and securing the fourth-best lap time.

Mercedes, navigating an escalating controversy regarding its power unit, maintained a low profile as George Russell finished 56 laps in the morning, his quickest time trailing Norris by 1.439 seconds. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, primarily utilizing hard-compound Pirellis, was 2.960 seconds slower over his 30 laps.

Aston Martin experienced a setback, with its AMR26 only completing 36 laps overall. Lance Stroll undertook 33 circuits in the morning session but ceased running after only three additional laps post-lunch, as the team identified what it termed “a data anomaly” originating from the new Honda power unit. Stroll’s quickest lap for the day was 1m39.883s.

Williams offset the frustration of completely missing the Barcelona shakedown by achieving a significant lap count throughout the day. Carlos Sainz completed a total of 77 laps in the morning, exceeding a full race distance. His teammate, Alex Albon, added 68 laps in the afternoon.

Among the teams that had opted to unveil new developmental changes – or disclose previously hidden concepts – Audi was the most prominent. Its R26 appeared from the pits featuring an entirely distinct sidepod configuration compared to the show car displayed at its launch or the version tested during the Barcelona shakedown.

The vehicle performed consistently in the morning with Gabriel Bortoleto completing 49 laps. However, it suffered a breakdown with Nico Hulkenberg driving, merely an hour into the afternoon session, necessitating a red flag. Hulkenberg later rejoined the circuit and ultimately finished 73 laps. The only other interruption of the day occurred when Franco Colapinto’s Alpine unexpectedly stopped on track in the morning after 17 laps; however, the problem was rectified, and Colapinto increased its total to 28 laps before Pierre Gasly took over.

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Photo by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Cadillac also made its track debut, sporting its finalized two-tone paint scheme, which was first showcased during the Super Bowl half-time event over the weekend. Valtteri Bottas completed 49 laps in the morning session before passing control to Sergio Perez, who then completed 58 laps.

Arvid Lindblad, the sole F1 newcomer this season, managed 75 laps in the Racing Bulls VCARB 03 throughout the morning until the car experienced a fluid leak.

Formula 1 Bahrain Pre-Season Testing – Day 1 Outcomes