F1 teams returned to the grind on Wednesday in Bahrain for the sport’s final three days of pre-season testing. While Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc led the charge in the morning, George Russell picked up the baton for Mercedes in the afternoon to conclude the day on top.
Check out our recap in pictures of the day’s action at Sakhir.
(L to R): George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team with Toto Wolff (GER) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team Shareholder and Executive Director.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren F1 Team MCL40 - start practice.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26 - start practice.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren F1 Team MCL40.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Franco Colapinto (ARG) Alpine F1 Team A526.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Carlos Sainz (ESP) Williams F1 Team FW48.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) Audi F1 Team R26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Carlos Sainz (ESP) Williams F1 Team with his father Carlos Sainz (ESP).
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore Circuit atmosphere - birds at sunset.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) Audi F1 Team R26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Oliver Bearman (GBR) Haas F1 Team VF-26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren F1 Team MCL40.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore The Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26 of Lance Stroll (CDN) is recovered back to the pits by mechanics.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team with Peter Bonnington (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team Race Engineer.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Wheel nut.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images (L to R): Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team with Peter Bonnington (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team Race Engineer.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Matteo Togninalli (ITA) Scuderia Ferrari Head of Track Engineering with Frederic Vasseur (FRA) Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Sergio Perez (MEX) Cadillac Formula 1 Team.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team in the FIA Press Conference.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing in the FIA Press Conference.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team in the FIA Press Conference.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari and Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing in the FIA Press Conference.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari in the FIA Press Conference.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Gianpiero Lambiase (ITA) Red Bull Racing Head of Race Engineering with Jos Verstappen (NLD).
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Chris Cronin (GBR) Aston Martin F1 Team Chief Engineer Trackside / Senior Race Engineer with Lawrence Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team Investor.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Alexander Albon (THA) Williams F1 Team with Carlos Sainz (ESP).
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Chris Cronin (GBR) Aston Martin F1 Team Chief Engineer Trackside / Senior Race Engineer with Lawrence Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team Investor.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Alexander Albon (THA) Williams F1 Team FW48.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Dan Towriss (USA) Cadillac F1 Team and TWG Motorsports CEO with Cassidy Towriss.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore Arvid Lindblad (GBR) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Arvid Lindblad (GBR) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A526.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images Alexander Albon (THA) Williams F1 Team FW48.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26 locks up under braking.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Arvid Lindblad (GBR) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A526.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore Flavio Briatore (ITA) Alpine F1 Team Executive Advisor.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore Sergio Perez (MEX) Cadillac Formula 1 Team CA01.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Esteban Ocon (FRA) Haas F1 Team VF-26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A526.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Racing RB22.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images Alexander Albon (THA) Williams F1 Team FW48.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Arvid Lindblad (GBR) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images Sergio Perez (MEX) Cadillac Formula 1 Team CA01.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore (L to R): Andrew Shovlin (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team Trackside Engineering Director with George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team and Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Racing RB22.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Alexander Albon (THA) Williams F1 Team FW48 with sensor equipment.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore Esteban Ocon (FRA) Haas F1 Team VF-26.
18.02.2026. Formula 1 Testing, Bahrain Test Two, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One.
- www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
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