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Max Verstappen dazzles at Bahrain tests as Red Bull dominates, Williams shines with record laps

Redação by Redação
February 11, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 5 mins read
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Max Verstappen dazzles at Bahrain tests as Red Bull dominates, Williams shines with record laps

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (3) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 on track during day one of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 11, 2026 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202602113507 // Usage for editorial use only //

F1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain: Red Bull Dominates Early Stages While Williams Surges Ahead in Laps!

In a spectacular opening to the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, Max Verstappen has catapulted his Red Bull to the top of the time charts, edging out fierce competitors like Oscar Piastri from McLaren and George Russell of Mercedes. Though Red Bull leads in speed, it’s Carlos Sainz and the Williams team who have stolen the spotlight with an impressive total of 77 laps completed, showcasing their resilience after a shaky start.

As the clock struck noon, the Bahrain circuit buzzed with anticipation, marking the dawn of a new technical and sporting era in F1. The first day of testing has been meticulously structured into two four-hour sessions, allowing teams a rigorous and focused opportunity to get their machines up to speed. With only one car permitted on track per team at any given time, the pressure is on.

The moment the green lights illuminated the pit lane, a wave of cars, including Verstappen’s Red Bull, Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi, and Arvid Lindblad’s Racing Bulls, flooded the asphalt of Sakhir. The weather was mild, with teams quickly employing “aero rakes” and flow-vis paint to validate aerodynamic correlations and compare wind tunnel data against real-world performance.

Williams, having missed the crucial shakedown in Barcelona, emerged as a surprising contender. Sainz took charge of the FW48, focusing on consistent lap times between Turns 3 and 4. Team Principal James Vowles had previously stated that extensive filming days and simulator work had been vital in making up for lost time, emphasizing that every lap in Bahrain is essential to closing the gap on their rivals.

As the morning progressed, the new regulations came to life. Teams were seen deploying active aerodynamics, with movable front and rear wings designed to minimize drag on the straights, alongside a new energy management system replacing traditional DRS. Furthermore, the introduction of fully sustainable fuel derived from carbon capture, urban waste, and non-food biomass marked a significant leap into the eco-conscious future of the sport.

However, not all went smoothly on this promising day. Alpine's absence was conspicuous as their A526 remained in the pits while others raced ahead. After a dismal 2025 season, the team is now banking on Mercedes engines to turn their fortunes around. Franco Colapinto finally hit the track after a significant delay, a welcome sight for a team eager to regain its footing.

Among the standout performances, rookie Arvid Lindblad, at just 18, took the early lead, completing a remarkable 22 laps on soft tires and frequently topping the time sheets. His Racing Bulls, powered by Red Bull-Ford, showcased a well-prepared package aligning with the new regulations.

The Sakhir circuit offered ideal conditions with temperatures around 27 degrees ambient and a slightly warmer track. Despite some pesky winds stirring up sand and affecting grip levels, the new cars proved to be more stable than their predecessors, even handling minor incidents like a spin from Lewis Hamilton at Turn 1 without damage, thanks to the generous runoff areas—making Bahrain a safe testing ground.

Aston Martin turned heads with their innovative design led by Adrian Newey, featuring distinct air intake designs. Lance Stroll drove solo on the first day, a strategic move to maximize his mileage while Fernando Alonso had already completed a day in Barcelona.

As the session progressed, Esteban Ocon propelled Haas to the top with a solid lap on soft tires, signaling a strong start for a team aiming for a more versatile car compared to its 2025 counterpart. With Ocon and Bearman retaining their driver lineup, the team is focused on continuity and improvement.

Disruption struck when Colapinto's Alpine came to a halt on the track, prompting a red flag. The situation raised eyebrows over whether it was a deliberate fuel save for testing or a genuine reliability issue, with the latter being the more likely scenario. Once the car was removed, Alpine managed to get Colapinto back on track, albeit with a significant deficit in laps compared to competitors.

Conversely, Williams continued to regain lost ground with Sainz racking up laps at a steady pace, eventually surpassing 50 and leading the session in total laps—an impressive comeback narrative for the team.

In the backdrop, Audi and Cadillac made their presence known, with Audi unveiling a radically redesigned car compared to their Barcelona shakedown, featuring sleek sidepods aimed at optimizing airflow. Bottas from Cadillac also completed a commendable stint, contributing to the data collection for their budding project.

As the session unfolded, discussions centered around engine reliability and lap counts, with Mercedes clearly ahead in terms of mileage, followed by Ferrari, Red Bull-Ford, Honda, and Audi—a revealing early insight into the competitive landscape under the new regulations.

Hamilton’s performance was noteworthy, especially after a challenging 2025 season with Ferrari. Completing several runs on harder tires and testing close behind Lindblad, he demonstrated the potential for a strong comeback. Meanwhile, Sainz, having adapted to the FW48’s capabilities, clocked 63 laps before the morning session came to a close.

As the initial four-hour testing session wrapped up, the stage was set for an exhilarating season ahead. Verstappen leads the time sheets with a blistering lap of 1m35.433s, closely followed by Piastri and Russell. The Williams team, with Sainz’s impressive lap count, has signaled that they are back in the game, while rookie Lindblad has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Alpine, despite early setbacks, managed to get back on track, while Audi and Cadillac continue their learning curves in this thrilling new chapter of Formula 1.

Top Times: – Max Verstappen: 1m35.433s – Oscar Piastri: 1m35.602s – George Russell: 1m36.108s – Lewis Hamilton: 1m36.433s – Esteban Ocon: 1m37.169s

Lap Counts: – Carlos Sainz: 77 laps – Arvid Lindblad: 75 laps – Max Verstappen: 65 laps – Esteban Ocon: 63 laps – George Russell: 56 laps

This electrifying opening day not only sets the tone for the season but also showcases the fierce competition and evolving dynamics that make Formula 1 the pinnacle of motorsport. Buckle up—the race for the championship has officially begun!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2019-red-bull-crandon-world-cup2025-mclaren-f1-championship2025-williams-grove-speedway-lawrence-chevrolet-410-sprint-car-seriesLewis Hamiltonmax-verstappen-enOscar Piastri
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