F1 teams begin final pre-season test in Bahrain
Formula 1's final pre-season test is underway in Bahrain, with teams gathering crucial data on their new 2026 cars. The opening day's running focused on adapting to new technical regulations, tire management, and long-run reliability. McLaren's official report noted incremental setup gains, while live tracking showed Oscar Piastri among the notable performers.
- The 2026 regulations introduce a significant power unit overhaul, targeting a 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and electrical power. The electric motor's output will increase nearly threefold to 350kW, while the MGU-H component has been eliminated. - For the first time, cars will run on 100% advanced sustainable fuels, which can be derived from sources like carbon capture, municipal waste, or non-food biomass. This is a key part of F1's goal to be net-zero carbon by 2030. - The regulations mandate smaller, lighter, and nimbler cars with a shorter wheelbase and reduced width. They will also feature active aerodynamics on both front and rear wings to manage drag and downforce, replacing the Drag Reduction System (DRS) with a new manual override mode for overtaking. - During the first week of Bahrain testing, Mercedes' rookie Kimi Antonelli set the fastest lap with a 1:33.669s. McLaren and Williams completed the joint-highest number of laps at 422 each. - On the opening day of this final test, Mercedes' George Russell set the fastest time at 1:33.459, just one-hundredth of a second ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri. - A technical debate is underway regarding power unit regulations, with the FIA putting forward an e-vote to engine manufacturers on a new methodology for testing the compression ratio at operating temperature, a potential loophole reportedly found by Mercedes. - The 2026 grid will expand to 11 teams for the first time since 2016, with Audi entering as a works team after its acquisition of Sauber and Cadillac making its debut with Ferrari power units. - Honda will return as a full works power unit supplier, partnering exclusively with Aston Martin from 2026.
