Bahrain F1 test - Day 1: Norris fastest, Verstappen tops mileage

Under bright skies and watchful eyes, reigning world champion Lando Norris wasted no time reminding the paddock why he carries the number one plate, firing McLaren to the top of the timesheets on the opening day of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain on Wednesday.

But while the Briton delivered the headline lap, it was Max Verstappen who quietly turned the day into a demonstration of endurance, racking up a staggering 136 laps for Red Bull and laying down an early marker for reliability as much as outright speed.

Although teams had already shaken down their 2026 machinery in Barcelona last month – Williams being the lone exception – Wednesday marked the first official test day of the new era.

It was the sport’s true starting gun, and the teams responded with a blend of caution, curiosity, and bursts of raw pace.

Norris Lands the Knockout Lap

The morning session belonged to Red Bull. Verstappen opened proceedings with calm authority, circulating relentlessly while clocking competitive times that set the early benchmark. Yet the afternoon saw the tide shift from deep blue to papaya orange.

When Norris climbed into the McLaren for the second half of the day, the tempo changed. With just over an hour remaining, the Briton delivered what would become the defining moment of the session — and ultimately the day.

On the C2 Pirelli compound, Norris threaded together a precise, clinical lap of 1m34.669s, slicing beneath Verstappen’s earlier effort and planting McLaren firmly at the summit.

No one could respond. As the chequered flag approached, rivals tried but failed to mount a challenge. Norris’ lap stood untouched, an early psychological victory for both driver and team as the new regulations era begins to take shape.

Oscar Piastri had earlier handled the morning duties for McLaren, putting solid mileage on the new chassis before handing the wheel to his championship-winning team-mate, a seamless tag-team performance that underlined McLaren’s smooth preparation.

Verstappen’s Relentless Run Signals Red Bull Strength

If Norris owned the stopwatch, Verstappen owned the odometer. The four-time world champion’s day was less about a single searing lap and more about relentless consistency.

Completing 136 tours of the Bahrain circuit, the Dutchman logged more distance than anyone else — a significant early statement about the durability of Red Bull’s new Ford-partnered power unit.

His best time of 1m34.789s secured second place overall, but the true victory lay in the sheer volume of laps. In pre-season testing, mileage is gold, and Verstappen mined plenty of it.

Each lap offered engineers precious data, and the smooth run suggested Red Bull’s new package may already be a well-oiled machine.

Ferrari Close, Mercedes Hit Snags

Behind the Norris-Verstappen duel, Ferrari slotted comfortably into third with Charles Leclerc’s 1m35.190s. The Scuderia showed flashes of promise, though Lewis Hamilton – seventh on the day – voiced reservations about the feel of the new-generation cars, hinting that adaptation remains a work in progress.

Mercedes endured a more turbulent outing. George Russell managed sixth, but technical gremlins in the afternoon curtailed valuable running time for young Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

The Italian, entering his sophomore season, completed only 29 laps and finished 11th – a reminder that testing days are rarely a straightforward affair.

Elsewhere, Haas’ Esteban Ocon impressed in fourth, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg filled out the midfield mix alongside Williams’ Alex Albon.

Red Flags and Reliability Tests

The day was not without interruptions. Two brief red flags punctuated the sessions, first when Franco Colapinto’s Alpine ground to a halt in the morning, and later when Hülkenberg’s Audi triggered a stoppage in the afternoon.

The latter proved short-lived, with the German managing to coax his car back to the pitlane under its own power.

Mechanical hiccups also struck Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad, who was forced to end his run early after 75 laps, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll found his track time limited by technical issues.

Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez gathered steady mileage, and Gabriel Bortoleto kept Audi’s second entry circulating.

Notably absent from the action were Isack Hadjar, Fernando Alonso, Liam Lawson, and Oliver Bearman, all of whom will be in action on Thursday.

As the sun dipped over the Sakhir circuit, the opening chapter of 2026 testing closed with two clear narratives: Norris delivering the day’s sharpest strike, and Verstappen showcasing Red Bull’s stamina. Speed dazzles, but endurance wins championships – and on day one, Formula 1 offered a tantalizing glimpse of both.

Full results from Wednesday's session in Bahrain:

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