The first day of official pre-season testing for the 2026 Formula 1 season began at the Bahrain International Circuit, marking the debut of all 11 cars together on track. Ten teams had participated in a closed-door shakedown in Barcelona last month, while Williams was absent due to their car not being ready. Fans and media captured the final liveries of the new cars during this initial session.
Formula 1's pre-season testing commenced on Wednesday at the Bahrain International Circuit, providing the first public glimpse of all 11 2026 cars running simultaneously. This followed a shakedown event in Barcelona last month, where 10 teams tested behind closed doors, but Williams did not attend as their car was not prepared in time.
The testing session highlighted the final liveries of the cars from each team, with photos showcasing their designs on track. According to reports, the event drew attention to the new regulations and team preparations for the upcoming season.
No specific performance details or lap times were highlighted in initial coverage, which focused primarily on the visual debut of the machinery. The Bahrain test serves as a key opportunity for teams to evaluate their 2026 designs before the season starts.
Related discussions included comments from team principals, such as Mercedes' Toto Wolff describing Red Bull as 'the benchmark,' and Lewis Hamilton calling the new F1 rules 'ridiculously complex.' However, these were separate from the testing visuals.