Sky F1 quietly alters its usual pre-season routine for Bahrain

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Sky Sports F1 is easing off the throttle when it comes to live coverage of Formula 1’s first pre-season test in Bahrain, opting for a trimmed-down broadcast schedule that marks a noticeable shift from the wall-to-wall approach fans have grown accustomed to in recent years.

With the 2026 regulations ushering in brand-new machinery and a fresh technical era, anticipation around testing has been unusually high. Yet viewers tuning in for every lap of early-season running may find themselves staring at a quieter TV guide than expected.

After last week’s closed-door shakedown in Barcelona – an event conducted entirely behind the curtain with no public broadcast – the paddock now relocates to Bahrain for two three-day pre-season tests.

Unlike Barcelona, accredited media will be present, and teams will finally run their new cars in a more open environment as they hunt for performance clues and reliability data.

Shorter Live Windows, Same Evening Analysis

But Sky Sports F1 will not be televising the full daily sessions. Instead, the broadcaster has confirmed it will air only the final hour of on-track action each day during the first Bahrain test, scheduled from February 11 to 13.

Coverage will begin at 15:00 GMT (16:00 CET), mirroring the revised approach recently outlined by F1’s own TV platform.

For fans hoping to absorb every stint and long-run simulation, the compromise comes later in the evening.

At 20:00 GMT (21:00 CET), Sky will air a Testing Wrap programme dissecting the day’s developments, followed by Ted’s Testing Notebook at 20:30 GMT, with Ted Kravitz returning to his familiar role of paddock sleuth and technical storyteller.

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In effect, the channel is trading continuous live action for condensed highlights and analysis – a format that leans more toward editorial depth than marathon broadcasting hours.

The schedule for the second Bahrain test, running February 18 to 20, has yet to be announced, leaving open the possibility of either expanded coverage or a repeat of the same streamlined formula.

For now, though, the message is clear: Formula 1’s pre-season may be revving up on track, but on television, the first act will be delivered in shorter, sharper bursts rather than an all-day spectacle.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.