The 2026 Formula 1 season is a fortnight away from starting in Australia and the teams and drivers will be making their final checks at this week’s final pre-season test in Bahrain.
With new engine and chassis regulations this season, the grid has already undertaken eight days of testing - five in a private format in Barcelona and three last week in Bahrain. This final three-day event is the final action before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 6-8 March.
EXPLAINER: Final F1 test overshadowed by car safety concerns
Mercedes came out the strongest from Barcelona but Red Bull, in partnership with new engine partner Ford, were impressive last week in Sakhir, despite Max Verstappen describing this new generation of car as “anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids.” Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was also among the drivers unimpressed by aspects of the new machinery.
Further discussions will be taking place between all 11 teams and the FIA this week over a myriad of issues, including the ongoing engine compression row and the safety of race starts, as the new campaign draws ever closer.
Follow live updates from F1 pre-season testing with The Independent
Read MoreFinal F1 2026 testing session in Bahrain set to be overshadowed by safety concerns
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F1 PRE-SEASON TESTING - LATEST UPDATES
- The final F1 pre-season test takes place this week in Bahrain
- Action takes place from 7am-4pm (GMT) with a one-hour lunch break at 11am (Wed-Fri)
- Charles Leclerc quickest this morning; Norris 2nd; Antonelli 3rd
- EXPLAINER: The safety issues at play ahead of the new season
- The 2026 season starts in Australia on 8 March
Afternoon laps completed:
16:15 , Kieran JacksonOscar Piastri (McLaren) - 70
George Russell (Mercedes) - 76
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 44
Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) - 66
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 26
Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 55
Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 61
Oliver Bearman (Haas) - 42
Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 71
Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 60
Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 35
Practice start procedure
16:02 , Kieran JacksonA lot of revving, a lot of wheelspin, but all 10 cars got away OK!
So the systems work. Let’s see how further trials go tomorrow and on Friday...
New start procedure
16:00 , Kieran JacksonTwo formation laps are done and dusted... let’s see how this turns out!
Ten cars on the grid...
George Russell goes fastest
15:50 , Kieran JacksonThe Mercedes driver sets the new benchmark, with a 1:33:459 - 0.010 secs ahead of Piastri in second!
Final few laps now before we get this practice start...
New race start trial
15:35 , Kieran JacksonThis is interesting!
At the end of this session, we’ll have a practice race start with a new procedure:
“A red flag will be shown and all cars will return to the pit lane. The cars will then complete a formation lap, followed by an additional formation lap, before lining up on the grid for a simulated race start.
“Once all cars are in position, a new Pre-Start Warning will begin: all grid panels will flash blue for 5 seconds. After the blue warning ends, the usual start sequence will begin.
“In total, the sequence will consist of:
* Red flag
* Cars back in pit lane and line up in the fast lane
* Pit exit open - cars leave pit lane to go back on the grid
* Extra formation lap
* Cars back in position on the grid
* 5-second blue pre-start warning
* Standard start light procedure
Isack Hadjar up to sixth
15:24 , Kieran JacksonThe Frenchman has been in the car all day for Red Bull - though after issues this morning, only has 55 laps to his name - and has just set his best time with a 1:34.260 putting him sixth-fastest.
As the sun sets and darkness falls, the final few laps now for this afternoon’s drivers.
Where is Lewis?
15:05 , Kieran JacksonHamilton has only done 24 laps this afternoon and, with an hour to go, he’s been in the garage for a while now.
Unsure why...
Lewis Hamilton feels in ‘best place personally’ ahead of 2026 F1 season
14:57 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton believes he is in the best place he has been for a long time and is excited by his prospects ahead of the new Formula One season.
The seven-time world champion endured a difficult debut season with Ferrari, failing to secure a podium as he finished sixth in the standings.
Hamilton’s end to the season was particularly challenging as he did not qualify higher than 13th in the final four races.
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton feels in ‘best place personally’ ahead of 2026 F1 season
George Russell third-fastest
14:35 , Kieran JacksonRussell has not moved up to third, two-tenths off Piastri.
Top-6:
1. Piastri - 1:33:469
2. Leclerc +0.270
3. Russell +0.279
4. Norris +0.583
5. Antonelli +0.689
6. Hamilton +0.830
Energy compression row - statement:
14:22 , Kieran Jackson“Over recent weeks and months, the FIA and the Power Unit Manufacturers have collaboratively developed a methodology to quantify how the compression ratio changes from ambient to operating conditions.
“Following validation of this approach, a proposal has been submitted whereby, from 1 August 2026, compliance with the compression ratio limit must be demonstrated not only at ambient conditions, but also at a representative operating temperature of 130°C.
“The vote has been submitted to the Power Unit Manufacturers, and its outcome is expected within the next 10 days and will be communicated in due course. As with all Formula 1 regulatory changes, any amendment remains subject to final approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.”
Oscar Piastri goes fastest
14:10 , Kieran JacksonThe Australian goes purple in the first two sectors and takes the fastest lap of the day so far with a 1:33.469, 0.270 secs ahead of Charles Leclerc.
So far, a very positive day for McLaren...
FIA releases statement on safety of F1 race starts after meeting in Bahrain
13:57 , Kieran JacksonA hot topic in recent days has been the potential safety risks of race starts, given the new cars need more turbo boost pressure – and therefore more time – to move off the line, with McLaren team boss Andrea Stella insisting last week he was concerned about the potential of dangerous collisions on the grid.
Yet despite “constructive talks and proposals”, the sport’s governing body have resisted changing the start procedure and any of the technical regulations, for now.
However, they did detail discussions around doubling the number of sprint races from six to 12. A move to a dozen sprints would mean the short-race format, much criticised by four-time world champion Max Verstappen, would take up exactly 50% of the 24-race calendar.
FIA releases statement on safety of F1 race starts after meeting in Bahrain
What engines are teams using?
13:45 , Kieran JacksonFive different engine manufacturers to cover 11 teams this season:
- Mercedes: Mercedes, McLaren, Williams and Alpine
- Ferrari: Ferrari, Haas and Cadillac
- Red Bull-Ford: Red Bull and Racing Bulls
- Audi: Audi
- Honda: Aston Martin
Oscar Piastri quickest of afternoon runners
13:37 , Kieran JacksonPiastri’s time of 1:34:067 puts him 0.328 secs off Leclerc and third overall, with Lewis Hamilton in fifth - eight-tenths off Leclerc.
Meanwhile, Stroll’s Aston Martin car is back in the garage... and there’ll be more work to do for the Aston mechanics as the sun sets in Bahrain...
VIDEO: Stroll spinning off track
13:30 , Kieran JacksonA pause in Sakhir as Lance Stroll spins off the track after a lock-up 🚩 pic.twitter.com/kRosb3IjhL
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 18, 2026
Stroll's car is off track
13:09 , Kieran JacksonAround a 10-minute stoppage as the marshals direct the Aston car onto the truck and away from the track.
And Lance Stroll solemnly walks away from the scene.
No damage to the Aston, as far as we can see, but again, hardly ideal.
Lance Stroll in the gravel - RED FLAG
13:00 , Kieran JacksonThe Aston Martin spins off track at turn 10 and is beached in the gravel.
Ah dear, it goes from bad to worse forAston...
George Russell on team radio:
12:44 , Kieran Jackson"Steering feels heavier on the apex now, compared to last week,” he says.
Early concern in this session for the Mercedes driver.
Lewis Hamilton has clocked 7 laps in first 30 mins
12:36 , Kieran JacksonSlow and steady for the Ferrari driver early on, as he enters the pits.
Fastest time out of the afternoon runners so far goes to RB’s Liam Lawson..
Lewis Hamilton out on track
12:22 , Kieran JacksonWith Charles Leclerc setting the fastest time this morning, what can teammate Lewis Hamilton do?
The Briton is out on track for Ferrari this afternoon...
NEWS: ‘We’re with you’: Lewis Hamilton shows support for Vinicius Jr after alleged racist abuse
12:10 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton has shown his support for Vinicius Jr. after the Real Madrid star accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racist abuse in last night’s Champions League clash.
Madrid’s win in Lisbon, courtesy of a stunning goal from Vinicius, was overshadowed following an altercation after the Brazilian’s goal, in which Prestianni is accused of directing a racist remark to Vinicius, who then told the referee.
Now Hamilton, who also voiced his support for Vinicius after an incident in 2023, has publicised his backing, saying on Instagram: “We’re with you, Vini Jr.”
More below:
‘We’re with you’: Hamilton shows support for Vinicius Jr after alleged racist abuse
NEWS - Ferrari F1 boss gives snappy response over Lewis Hamilton situation: ‘Stop this story!’
11:50 , Kieran JacksonFred Vasseur has defended Ferrari’s plan of action after Lewis Hamilton described his F1 race engineer situation as potentially “detrimental” to the start of his season.
After a tumultuous, podium-less debut season with the Scuderia, Hamilton has opted to ditch race engineer Riccardo Adami after a fraught relationship, with disagreements regularly playing out over team radio last year.
Hamilton will work with Carlo Santi, Kimi Raikkonen’s race engineer in 2018, on an interim basis for the first few races of the new season. It is widely expected that Cedric Michel-Grosjean, formerly Oscar Piastri’s performance engineer at McLaren, will become Hamilton’s full-time race engineer.
However, Michel-Grosjean is taking what he describes as a “career break” after leaving McLaren at the end of last season, leaving Hamilton in a situation which he last week acknowledged was sub-optimal as he prepared for the 2026 campaign.
Full piece below:
Ferrari F1 boss gives snappy response over Hamilton situation: ‘Stop this story!’
VIDEO: Some fun lines at this morning's driver photoshoot
11:30 , Kieran JacksonHeading behind the scenes for the 2026 driver photoshoot 📸👀#F1 pic.twitter.com/3NYtYqMmmx
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 18, 2026
NEWS: F1 announces ‘rotation’ races for future calendar with two European venues impacted
11:20 , Kieran JacksonFormula 1 has announced a six-year “rotational” contract for a grand prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in the next phase of the sport’s expansion strategy.
F1 announced last year that the famous Spa-Francorchamps will host a grand prix once every two years from 2027 to 2031, and now the Belgian Grand Prix’s rotational partner has been confirmed.
Barcelona’s future as a host venue had been in doubt, given F1 will host an annual street race in Madrid from this September. However, after major renovation to the site, the newly titled Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will take place in 2028, 2030 and 2032 in rotation with Spa.
Full details below:
F1 announces ‘rotation’ races for future calendar with two European venues impacted
Charles Leclerc fastest this morning
11:16 , Kieran JacksonHere’s the full leaderboard with Leclerc setting a time just one-tenth of a second slower than the quickest time of last week’s test, set by Kimi Antonelli
1. Charles Leclerc - 1:33:739 (70 laps)
2. Lando Norris +0.313 (54 laps)
3. Kimi Antonelli - +0.419 (69 laps)
4. Alex Albon +1.951 (55 laps)
5. Pierre Gasly +2.159 (61 laps)
6. Isack Hadjar +2.449 (13 laps)
7. Esteban Ocon +2.679 (65 laps)
8. Fernando Alonso +2.797 (28 laps)
9. Nico Hulkenberg +3.002 (49 laps)
10. Arvid Lindblad+3.030 (75 laps)
11. Sergio Perez +4.452 (24 laps)
Trial practice starts
11:00 , Kieran JacksonSergio Perez, Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris all attempt a few practice starts on their own accord on the grid, with the loud revving of the engines for 10 seconds or so before they all get away.
Fortunately, no repeat of the farcical scenes from last week.
Leclerc remains fastest
10:50 , Kieran JacksonNo recent changes at the top of the timesheet, with just 10 minutes to go until the lunch break.
Top-5:
1. Charles Leclerc - 1:33:739
2. Lando Norris +0.313
3. Kimi Antonelli +0.419
4. Alex Albon +1.951
5. Pierre Gasly +2.159
VIDEO: Liam Lawson keeping active in the paddock!
10:45 , Kieran JacksonLiam Lawson keeping himself entertained 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ProqPCDHNp
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) February 18, 2026
Team principals in F1 Commission meeting
10:30 , Kieran JacksonA smooth running for most teams on track this morning - but what’s happening in the boardroom?
All 11 teams are meeting with the FIA this morning to discuss the myriad of issues - including race starts, lift and coast and overtake mode - ahead of the new season.
I wonder if we’ll get any big changes...
EXPLAINED: What is 'active aero'?
10:19 , Kieran JacksonFor the first time, F1 has introduced dynamically adjustable angles for the front and rear wings, changing automatically depending on whether the driver is on a straight or in a corner.
The wings will open (reducing drag) on the straights and close (increasing downforce) in the corners, with the cars operating in X (straight) mode or Z (corner) mode respectively. It is hoped this will maximise the full usage of the car’s power through greater on-track grip.
Overall, downforce has been reduced by 15-30% for 2026, as a result of the cars losing the ground-effect floor tunnels used in the 2022-2025 regulation cycle.
Problems continue for Hadjar
10:06 , Kieran JacksonThe Red Bull driver has been in the garage for more than 90 minutes now and has registered just 13 laps this morning - the least of any driver.
Sergio Perez has now completed 17, while Arvid Lindblad leads the way on 58.
VIDEO: Season 8 trailer of Drive to Survive revealed
09:45 , Kieran JacksonKimi Antonelli closes gap
09:26 , Kieran JacksonAntonelli was on a flier, but in the end stays third-fastest - but closes the gap on Leclerc to 0.419 secs.
The Italian teenager, who missed out on a lot laps for Mercedes in last week’s test, has completed 39 laps so far - the most other than Arvid Lindblad, who’s on 46.
NEWS: Red Bull’s chief F1 designer leaves team – two weeks before 2026 season
09:15 , Kieran JacksonRed Bull have suffered an early-season blow with the departure of chief F1 designer Craig Skinner from the team.
Skinner worked closely with Red Bull’s former design guru Adrian Newey, now team principal at Aston Martin, but the Milton Keynes outfit have now confirmed his exit after two decades.
While not directly linked to other departures, Skinner is the latest in a long line of key personnel to leave the team in the last year or two.
Sergio Perez out on track
09:01 , Kieran JacksonHopefully some consistent laps in order now for the Cadillac driver, who is back out on the circuit.
Nico Hulkenberg has a moment
08:57 , Kieran JacksonThe Audi driver has a snap coming out of turn four, clips the gravel, but weaves his way back on the circuit.
Meanwhile, there’s a human wall in front of the Red Bull garage as work is being done on Isack Hadjar’s car.
Lando Norris goes second-fastest
08:51 , Kieran JacksonThe reigning world champion narrows the gap to table-topper Charles Leclerc, with a time which puts him three-tenths off the Ferrari driver.
Closing in on the halfway mark in this session...
Laps completed:
08:40 , Kieran JacksonLeclerc - 22
Norris - 25
Antonelli - 23
Albon - 23
Hadjar - 13
Gasly - 18
Ocon - 29
Alonso - 21
Hulkenberg - 20
Lindblad - 35
Perez - 1
EXPLAINER: Why could race start be unsafe in Australia
08:24 , Kieran JacksonThe new engines need to be revved to build up turbo boost pressure and minimise turbo-lag, resulting in some drivers revving hard for more than ten seconds. The current start procedure, which sees five red lights blink at one-second intervals before all five vanish, would not provide enough time for drivers at the back of the grid to prepare their turbo in time.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has implored the sport to find a solution before the season-opener in Australia on 8 March, due to the potential for dangerous collisions on the grid if one or several cars fail to move off the line.
However, Ferrari are the only engine manufacturer not in favour of any rule change. Motorsport outlet The Race details that Lewis Hamilton’s team have already blocked one proposal, and could reject future solutions on the table, as they feel every team was aware of the challenges posed by turbo lag. As such, it infers that Ferrari believe they have a competitive advantage with the way they built their power unit and the potential to be quicker off the line than their competitors.
More detail and quotes below:
Final F1 2026 testing session in Bahrain set to be overshadowed by safety concerns
Where is Max Verstappen?
08:16 , Kieran JacksonInterestingly, Red Bull are the only team who’ve opted to run a driver all day today, with Isack Hadjar in the cockpit for both sessions.
That means we won’t see Max Verstappen - who made it clear last week how much he isn’t enjoying this new generation of car - until tomorrow.
Charles Leclerc quickest
08:05 , Kieran JacksonOnly a handful of competitive times in the first hour, with Charles Leclerc fastest with a 1:33:739 - 0.734 secs ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli in second.
Lando Norris is third-fastest, a second down on Leclerc, with Isack Hadjar in fourth and Pierre Gasly in fifth.
6-10: Alonso, Ocon, Lindblad, Albon, Hulkenberg
Sergio Perez still waiting patiently in the garage for Cadillac...
Laps completed so far this morning:
07:53 , Kieran JacksonLando Norris - 13
Kimi Antonelli - 11
Charles Leclerc - 10
Isack Hadjar - 4
Fernando Alonso - 8
Alex Albon - 6
Arvid Lindblad - 7
Esteban Ocon - 10
Nico Hulkenberg - 6
Pierre Gasly - 6
Sergio Perez - 0
PHOTO: The 2026 Formula 1 grid
07:44 , Kieran JacksonAll 22 drivers on the grid for their pre-season photo this morning in Bahrain!
A reminder of the drivers on track this morning:
07:30 , Kieran JacksonMcLaren - Lando Norris
Mercedes - Kimi Antonelli
Red Bull - Isack Hadjar (all day)
Ferrari - Charles Leclerc
Williams - Alex Albon
Racing Bulls - Arvid Lindblad
Aston Martin - Lance Stroll
Haas - Esteban Ocon
Audi - Nico Hulkenberg
Alpine - Pierre Gasly
Cadillac - Sergio Perez
Every team on track apart from...
07:19 , Kieran JacksonCadillac!
No sign of F1’s 11th team in the opening 20 minutes this morning, while every other team has a driver on the racetrack early on.
F1 testing underway!
07:00 , Kieran JacksonThe green light is on at the end of the pit-lane as we get underway with the third and final pre-season test!
Who's driving this morning?
06:50 , Kieran JacksonMcLaren - Lando Norris
Mercedes - Kimi Antonelli
Red Bull - Isack Hadjar (all day)
Ferrari - Charles Leclerc
Williams - Alex Albon
Racing Bulls - Arvid Lindblad
Aston Martin - Lance Stroll
Haas - Esteban Ocon
Audi - Nico Hulkenberg
Alpine - Pierre Gasly
Cadillac - Sergio Perez
Ferrari F1 boss gives snappy response over Lewis Hamilton situation: ‘Stop this story!’
06:40 , Kieran JacksonWhen asked further about Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari race engineer situation, Vasseur interrupted the question and said: “Please stop with this story! If you go into the paddock of 22 cars, you have approximately six or seven new engineers each year and the same with the team principals.
“I’m probably the oldest [longest-serving] one with Toto [Wolff]. You are changing three or four team principals each year and it’s not the end of the team.
“The team today is something like 1,500 people. It’s not about one race engineer. The guy that you see on the pit wall is leading a team of people working on the car and it’s not a matter of individuals.
VIDEO: Season 8 trailer of Drive to Survive released
06:30 , Kieran JacksonRed Bull’s chief F1 designer leaves team – two weeks before 2026 season
06:16 , Kieran JacksonRed Bull have suffered an early-season blow with the departure of chief F1 designer Craig Skinner from the team.
Skinner worked closely with Red Bull’s former design guru Adrian Newey, now team principal at Aston Martin, but the Milton Keynes outfit have now confirmed his exit after two decades.
Skinner joined Red Bull in 2006, around the same time as Newey, initially as a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) engineer before working his way up the ladder in various aerodynamic roles.
He became chief designer in 2022, after four years as chief of aerodynamics, and worked closely with Newey and technical director Pierre Wache on the ground-effect era of car in which Red Bull were a class above the field. In 2023, they won every race bar one.
Speed or safety? Final F1 2026 testing window set to be overshadowed
06:10 , Kieran JacksonAll 11 F1 teams will meet with the FIA on Wednesday, with several concerns in need of clarification just a fortnight out from the new 2026 season.
This year’s new engine and chassis regulations and the impact they have had on the 2026 cars, to mixed reviews, have created a number of issues for teams and drivers as the final pre-season test begins in Bahrain on Wednesday.
In addition to the engine compression row which has been circling for a number of months, a fresh safety concern regarding race starts has broken out, after a practice start at the end of last week’s test saw multiple cars struggle to move off the line in worrying scenes.
Full detail below:
Final F1 2026 testing session in Bahrain set to be overshadowed by safety concerns
What time is the test?
06:05 , Kieran JacksonDays: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Times: Morning session: 7am-11pm; Afternoon session: Midday-4pm (GMT)
Venue: Bahrain International Circuit
F1 2026 testing
06:00 , Kieran JacksonThe 2026 Formula 1 season is a fortnight away from starting in Australia and the teams and drivers will be making their final checks at this week’s final pre-season test in Bahrain.
With new engine and chassis regulations this season, the grid has already undertaken eight days of testing - five in a private format in Barcelona and three last week in Bahrain. This final three-day event is the final action before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 6-8 March.
Mercedes came out the strongest from Barcelona but Red Bull, in partnership with new engine partner Ford, were impressive last week in Sakhir, despite Max Verstappen describing this new generation of car as “anti-racing” and “like Formula E on steroids.” Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was also among the drivers unimpressed by aspects of the new machinery.
Further discussions will be taking place between all 11 teams and the FIA this week over a myriad of issues, including the ongoing engine compression row and the safety of race starts, as the new campaign draws ever closer.
We’ll have live coverage of this week’s test, running from Wednesday-Friday from 7am-4pm.
