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Lando Norris shatters pre-season records at Bahrain test: F1 2026 season heats up!

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
February 19, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Lando Norris shatters pre-season records at Bahrain test: F1 2026 season heats up!

Lando Norris Shatters Pre-Season Testing Records: A Thrilling Day at Bahrain!

In a jaw-dropping display of speed and precision, McLaren's Lando Norris has set a blistering new fastest time during the Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, just days ahead of the much-anticipated season opener in Melbourne. Norris stormed the track in the early Thursday morning session, clocking an impressive 1m33.453s on the C4 tyre, ultimately eclipsing George Russell's previous record by a mere 0.006 seconds. This stunning performance has sent shockwaves through the paddock, as the competition scrambles to catch up.

But the drama didn’t stop there! Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who was behind the wheel for the first time this week after handing over the reins to Isack Hadjar on Wednesday, wasn’t far behind. Verstappen clocked in with a time just 0.131 seconds off Norris's blazing pace using the harder C3 compound. With both drivers showcasing immense talent, fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating a fierce rivalry this season.

Meanwhile, George Russell, who had been the most prolific driver in terms of mileage, found himself trailing Norris by almost seven tenths in his Mercedes. Despite this, Russell appeared to dominate the long runs, suggesting that his team may have a strategic edge once the lights go out in Melbourne.

However, one of the biggest surprises of the day came from Ferrari, which mysteriously retreated from the track after initially dazzling everyone with its unorthodox 'rotating' rear wing design. The SF-26 made a brief reappearance towards the end of the session to practice standing starts, but many are left wondering about Ferrari's true performance potential as the team seems to have kept its cards close to its chest.

In a show of impressive progress, Alex Albon and the Williams team recorded their fastest time of testing yet, a commendable 1m35.130s that secured them fourth place. However, they were closely chased by Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and Haas's Ollie Bearman, marking a competitive spirit among the midfield teams. Remarkably, Bortoleto matched his best time from the previous day, while Bearman's performance signaled a significant improvement for Haas.

The session was not without its challenges, as several drivers struggled with low mileage. Bortoleto managed only 29 laps, Liam Lawson logged a mere 27, and the legendary Lewis Hamilton suffered an astonishingly low total of just five laps in his Ferrari. This raises eyebrows regarding Ferrari's preparedness as the season approaches.

In a noteworthy display, Valtteri Bottas and Cadillac conducted what appeared to be a complete race simulation, albeit clocking speeds approximately three seconds per lap slower than the fastest race simulations observed during the previous testing session. The session concluded with an electrifying practice race start, where Hamilton executed a flawless launch while Russell faltered at the line, adding to the excitement.

As the second day of testing unfolds, the tension is palpable, and with just one and a half days remaining before the season kicks off, teams are racing against time to finalize their setups. The stakes have never been higher, and fans are left eagerly anticipating what promises to be a spectacular season ahead.

Testing Times So Far: 1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1m33.453s, 72 laps 2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.131s, 56 laps 3. George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.658s, 77 laps 4. Alexander Albon (Williams) – +1.677s, 71 laps 5. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – +1.810s, 29 laps 6. Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +1.826s, 69 laps 7. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +2.053s, 54 laps 8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – +3.506s, 27 laps 9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +4.019s, 40 laps 10. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +6.217s, 5 laps 11. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – +6.740s, 58 laps

As the countdown to the season opener continues, all eyes will be on these teams to see who will emerge victorious in the thrilling world of Formula 1.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2019-red-bull-crandon-world-cup2025-mclaren-f1-championshipgeorge-russell-2getspeed-mercedesLando Norrismax-verstappen-en
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