Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap time of the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, clocking 1m31.992s for Ferrari on the final day. Lando Norris of McLaren was second, 0.879s behind, while Max Verstappen placed third for Red Bull. Aston Martin limited its running to six laps due to a battery issue.
The second and final pre-season test for the 2026 Formula 1 season concluded in Bahrain on Friday, February 20, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc dominating the timesheets. The eight-time grand prix winner started the day strongly, posting a morning best of 1m33.689s, and improved progressively in the afternoon to 1m33.629s, 1m33.162s, and 1m32.655s on C3 tyres. Switching to C4 compound, he then recorded 1m32.297s and ultimately 1m31.992s, the only sub-1m32s lap of the week and 0.8s quicker than the previous best set by Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli earlier in the test.
McLaren's Lando Norris, delayed by two hours in the afternoon for setup work after Oscar Piastri's morning stint, ended second with 1m32.871s on C3 tyres, nine tenths off Leclerc's pace. Red Bull's Max Verstappen took third at 1m33.109s using Pirelli prototype tyres, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell in fourth at 1m33.197s on the same compound. Mercedes faced challenges, including a morning red flag when Antonelli stopped due to pneumatic pressure loss, necessitating a power unit change; Russell then added significant mileage.
Alpine's Pierre Gasly secured fifth with 1m33.421s on the softest C5 tyres, edging Haas' Oliver Bearman by 0.066s; Bearman ran on C3s during Haas' 170-lap day. Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto was seventh at 1m33.755s on C4, followed by Antonelli, Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad (1m34.149s after 165 laps), and Williams' Carlos Sainz. Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas set 1m35.290s over 99 laps, while Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Audi's Nico Hulkenberg filled lower positions. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll completed just six non-timed laps, curtailed by an engine parts shortage from Fernando Alonso's battery issue the previous day.
The test wrapped up with a practice race start procedure, ahead of the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.
