F1 testing 2026 live: Charles Leclerc quickest for Ferrari on final day in Bahrain

1 month ago

The 2026 Formula 1 play is simply a fortnight distant from starting successful Australia and nan teams and drivers will beryllium making their last checks astatine this week’s last pre-season trial successful Bahrain.

With new motor and chassis regulations this season, nan grid has already undertaken 8 days of testing - 5 successful a backstage format successful Barcelona and 3 past week successful Bahrain. This last three-day arena is nan last action earlier nan season-opening Australian Grand Prix successful Melbourne connected 6-8 March.

Further discussions will beryllium taking spot betwixt each 11 teams and nan FIA this week over a myriad of issues, including nan ongoing motor compression statement and nan information of title starts, arsenic nan caller run draws ever closer.

NEWS: F1 tests unsocial ‘blue warning’ title commencement astatine Bahrain pre-season testing

Formula 1 has trialled a caller title commencement process – involving flashing bluish grid panels – astatine pre-season testing successful Bahrain.

Following discussions successful a gathering of nan F1 Commission connected Wednesday, 10 cars trialled a caller process connected Wednesday, pinch a “five-second, bluish pre-start warning” earlier nan accustomed 5 reddish lights illuminate and vanish.

The drivers completed 2 statement laps earlier mounting up connected nan grid and undertaking nan caller protocol. With noisy revving engines, each 10 cars moved disconnected nan line, pinch immoderate experiencing much wheelspin than others. Further tests will return spot connected Thursday and Friday.

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 08:59

Lewis Hamilton feels successful ‘best spot personally’ up of 2026 F1 season

Lewis Hamilton believes he is successful nan champion spot he has been for a agelong clip and is excited by his prospects up of nan caller Formula One season.

The seven-time world champion endured a difficult debut play pinch Ferrari, failing to unafraid a podium arsenic he vanished sixth successful nan standings.

Hamilton’s extremity to nan play was peculiarly challenging arsenic he did not suffice higher than 13th successful nan last 4 races.

Full portion below:

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 08:40

Toto Wolff successful bizarre ‘Epstein files’ rant complete F1 motor statement

"Stories that we person an forbidden motor are bull****. Just for illustration [the stories] that our substance wouldn't meet nan standards.

"Maybe thing other will travel up tomorrow, possibly that I'm successful nan Epstein files... though I already regret that remark."

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 08:20

Charles Leclerc fastest

The Ferrari driver sets nan early benchmark pinch a 1:33:689, six-tenths clear of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri successful second. Here’s nan early top-five:

1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:33.689

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.663

3. Esteban Ocon (Haas) +0.805

4. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +0.822

5. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +1.838

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 07:58

Aston Martin struggling

The only car we’re yet to spot this greeting is Lance Stroll’s Aston, pinch nan protective surface up extracurricular nan garage.

Another really reliable fewer days for Aston....

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 07:47

No Lewis Hamilton today

Hamilton ran for a afloat time yesterday and truthful coming is Leclerc’s turn.

The adjacent clip we’ll spot Lewis? Melbourne successful 2 weeks!

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 07:30

Early laps completed

Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 2

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 3

Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) - 6

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 4

Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 3

Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 6

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0

Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 3

Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 4

Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 4

Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 1

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 07:25

Who's driving this morning?

McLaren - Oscar Piastri

Mercedes - Kimi Antonelli

Red Bull - Isack Hadjar

Ferrari - Charles Leclerc

Williams - Carlos Sainz

Racing Bulls - Arvid Lindblad

Aston Martin - Lance Stroll

Haas - Esteban Ocon

Audi - Nico Hulkenberg

Alpine - Pierre Gasly

Cadillac - Sergio Perez

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 07:15

Morning convention underway!

The last greeting of testing is simply a go!

Who’ll make an early connection this morning?

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 07:01

Good morning!

Ten days down, 1 to go!

Testing is almost complete for nan 2026 play and we person nan last 2 four-hour sessions today, a fortnight earlier nan caller run originates successful earnest successful Melbourne!

Kieran Jackson20 February 2026 06:50