Formula 1 has confirmed full live coverage for the second and final pre-season test at Bahrain International Circuit from February 18 to 20. This marks a significant change from the previous week's limited broadcast, allowing fans to follow every session. The event prepares teams for the 2026 season opener in Australia.
The second week of Formula 1 pre-season testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit from Wednesday, February 18, to Friday, February 20, 2026. This 5.412-kilometre track, also used for the Bahrain Grand Prix, features morning sessions from 10:00 to 14:00 local time and afternoon sessions from 15:00 to 19:00 local time, with a one-hour lunch break in between. Teams decide their own run plans, potentially assigning full days to drivers or splitting sessions.
Unlike the first test last week, where only the final hour of each day was broadcast live, this event will offer complete coverage of all eight hours daily. Fans can watch on F1 TV with a subscription, including end-of-day wrap-up shows and interviews with drivers and team personnel. In the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports will air the morning session from 06:50 to 11:05 GMT and the afternoon from 11:55 to 16:10 GMT, followed by a Testing Wrap programme at 20:00 GMT.
Additional coverage includes live blogs and timing on F1.com and Motorsport.com, providing updates on lap times, mileage, and team programmes. A Barcelona shakedown occurred at the end of January without media access, limiting information from that session.
This test concludes pre-season preparations two weeks before the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park from March 6-8, followed by the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai from March 13-15.
