As we prepare to begin the new Formula One season, Pre-Season Testing offers the first real glimpse of how the teams are shaping up ahead of the opening race.

With the Barcelona shakedown complete, we have arrived in Bahrain for six days of running over the next two weeks, where the focus will be on gathering data, working on different setups and understanding performance with the new A526 ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, just under a month away.

When and where is testing taking place?

Official pre-season testing is held at the Bahrain International Circuit across two three-day sessions. The first takes place on February 11-13 and the second on February 18-20.

Each test day features two four-hour sessions, separated by a one-hour lunch break. Track action runs from 10:00 to 19:00 local time (07:00 to 16:00 GMT), with Bahrain’s warm, dry conditions making it an ideal venue for early-season preparation.

What are we testing?

The primary focus of testing is to understand how the new A526 performs in real-world conditions. There have been a series of major regulation changes for 2026, meaning the car is completely different to last year.

Now running on narrower tyres, the lighter and smaller chassis features active aerodynamics with moveable front and rear wings. Additionally, the all-new Mercedes-AMG power unit for 2026 is required to provide significantly more electrical power, requiring drivers to learn how best to manage the energy available.

Regulations allow only one car per team on track at any time, meaning Pierre and Franco will share the driving duties across the two tests, following carefully planned programmes. During the first test the provisional plan is for both drivers will run on Wednesday before Pierre drives on Thursday and Franco on Friday.

Between them, they have already racked up the mileage during the the Barcelona shakedown, completing a total of 349 laps, equivalent to 1,625km.

How do we collect data?

Much of the running in Bahrain will concentrate on important data gathering. Fans may notice cars running with complicated scaffolding attached behind the front wheels. These ‘aero rakes’ feature sensors which measure airflow and pressure around the car. Fluorescent flo-viz paint is also liberally applied to the car’s wings to visualise how the air moves across the bodywork.

This information is then compared with wind tunnel, computational fluid dynamics software [CFD] and simulator data gathered back at our Enstone base to guide ongoing development. Teams will also trial new car parts and different setup configurations which tests suspension settings, aerodynamic packages and electronic systems.

Some teams may attempt low-fuel performance runs on softer compound tyres, while others choose to keep their true pace hidden, meaning lap times alone rarely tell the full story.

Total mileage is often a good indicator of a team’s progress, as it shows systems are working as they should. As a guide, last year, we managed to run a total of 405 laps during the three-day Bahrain test, covering 2,192km.

How can fans stay up to date?

The Barcelona shakedown took place behind closed doors, but media and broadcasters will be allowed into the circuit for both Bahrain tests.

F1 will have live timing from across all six days, while the final hour of each day of the first test will be shown live (on F1 TV, Sky Sports F1 and other broadcasters). There will then be full coverage of the second test, with a live broadcast feed of on-track action, including graphics, replays, pit wall and pit lane shots, on-board cameras and drone footage.

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