On the opening day of Formula 1’s 2026 preseason testing in Bahrain, Lando Norris recorded the fastest lap, closely mirroring the top positions from last year’s championship. Norris, the 2025 drivers’ champion, clocked a best lap time of 1:34.669 while completing 58 laps for McLaren on the 3.36-mile circuit.
Top Performers and Lap Counts
Runner-up from last season, Max Verstappen of Red Bull, posted the second-fastest time at 1:34.798, completing the most laps of the day with 136. Esteban Ocon of Haas was the only other driver to surpass 100 laps, finishing with 115. Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, who ended last season fifth in the standings, recorded the third-best time while running 79 laps.
Notable Moments and Participation
Lewis Hamilton, a five-time winner at Bahrain, ranked seventh fastest but experienced a spin at Turn 1 due to a strong gust of wind. A few drivers, including Isack Hadjar, Fernando Alonso, Liam Lawson, and Oliver Bearman, did not run any laps during Tuesday’s session. Altogether, the field completed 1,143 laps on the track.
Implications for the Season Ahead
The initial testing day hints at continued competitiveness among top teams, with Norris demonstrating strong pace for McLaren. As testing progresses, teams will focus on refining their cars for the upcoming season, aiming to improve reliability and performance on circuits like Bahrain, where past successes signal promising prospects.
