Who drives when during F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain

Discover the Formula 1 teams' running schedule for the Bahrain pre-season tests, scheduled from February 11 to 13.

Published 10/02/2026 à 13:30

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Who is driving when during the F1 pre-season tests in Bahrain?

As the pre-season tests approach Formula 1 Scheduled from February 11 to 13 in Bahrain, most teams have unveiled their testing program for these three days of testing. After the Barcelona Shakedown, which was not very revealing in terms of pure pace but allowed for checking the reliability of the engines and cars, the eleven F1 teams are now preparing to get down to business with the official winter tests.

On the side of Mercedes BenzGeorge Russell will take to the track on Wednesday morning before handing the wheel of the W17 over to his teammate Kimi Antonelli. The Bolognese driver also escaped uninjured from a car accident in San Marino on Saturday, February 7th. On the second day, the Italian will drive in the morning while the Briton will drive in the afternoon. Finally, Russell will open the third day before Antonelli concludes testing for the Silver Arrows.

At McLaren, Oscar piastri will pilot the MCL40 throughout the entire first day. Lando Norris will then take over on Thursday and then the two teammates will share the wheel on the third and final day, with the new No. 1 taking to the track in the morning before No. 81 in the afternoon.

Same pattern at HaasWhere Esteban Ocon will kick off the day on Wednesday. Oliver Bearman will take the wheel of the VF-26 on Thursday before the two men take turns on Friday: the Briton in the morning, the Frenchman in the afternoon.

Lance stroll will represent Aston Martin over two of the three days of testing, driving the AMR26 on Wednesday and Friday. The Canadian had only been able to complete five laps during the F1 Shakedown held behind closed doors in Barcelona. His teammate Fernando Alonso, who had for his part covered about sixty laps in Catalonia, will only ride in Bahrain on Thursday.

Absent from the Shakedown due to a development delay, Williams will finally make its debut at the Sakhir International Circuit. The Grove-based team will share each day between its two drivers, Carlos Sainz kicking things off on Wednesday morning before Alex Albon in the afternoon. The roles will be reversed on Thursday, with the Thai driver taking the wheel of the FW48 before the Spaniard. On Friday, car #55 will take to the track in the morning, then hand over the seat to car #23.

Newcomer to Formula 1, Audi will entrust the first test run on Wednesday morning to Gabriel Bortoleto, before Nico Hulkenberg He will not take over. The German will then start Thursday's sessions, before handing the wheel to his young teammate. On Friday, Bortoleto will drive again in the morning, leaving Hülkenberg to finish the tests.

On the side of Alpine, Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly They will share driving duties in the A526 on Wednesday. The Frenchman will then take to the track for the entirety of Thursday, with the Argentinian driving again on the final day.

At CadillacThe two drivers will alternate sessions: Valtteri Bottas Bottas will take to the track Wednesday morning before Sergio Pérez. On Thursday, the Mexican will drive first, followed by the Finn. Bottas will return to the track Friday morning before Pérez concludes testing in the afternoon.

Max Verstappen will be the first at Red Bull to drive during testing, at the wheel of the RB22 for the first day. Isack Hadjar will replace him on Thursday. The two teammates will share driving duties on Friday: Verstappen in the morning and Hadjar in the afternoon.

However, Classic Ferrari for sale and Racing Bulls They have not yet released their full schedule for these tests. Each day will be divided into two sessions, the first starting at 8:00 AM (Paris time) and the second at 13:00 PM. It should be noted, however, that only the last hour of daily driving will be broadcast on Canal+ Sport during this first week of testing.

Wednesday morning :