Loading
Formula 1 enters a transformative new era in 2026, and the sport's governing bodies are pulling out all the stops to ensure teams are adequately prepared for the comprehensive regulatory overhaul. Following the private Barcelona shakedown in late January, where Lewis Hamilton set the pace in his new Ferrari, all 11 F1 teams will now convene at the Bahrain International Circuit for two official three-day pre-season tests. Sky Sports has released their broadcasting schedule for the opening test week, offering fans their first opportunity to witness live action from the new generation of machinery—though with a significant caveat about limited coverage.
The first official pre-season test runs from February 11–13 at the Sakhir circuit, with a second test following a week later on February 18–20. Each day of testing follows an identical format: teams and drivers will take to track from 10am to 7pm local time (GMT+3), equivalent to 7am to 4pm UK time, with an unofficial lunch break built in at 2pm-3pm local time.
This extended testing window represents a critical preparation period before the Australian Grand Prix kicks off the 2026 season on March 6–8. With only three weeks between the Bahrain tests and Melbourne, teams will be working at maximum intensity to extract every available data point from their new cars and powerunits. The Bahrain International Circuit, a 3.36-mile, 15-corner circuit featuring long straights, low-to-medium-speed corners, and demanding braking zones, provides an ideal proving ground for evaluating tyre wear and car performance under real racing conditions.
A crucial distinction between the Barcelona shakedown and the Bahrain tests is the full participation of the grid. For the first time, all 11 teams will be testing their new cars in Bahrain, marking a substantial shift from the Barcelona event. Williams notably opted out of the Barcelona shakedown entirely, choosing instead to conduct a private testing program before arriving in Bahrain. Aston Martin also limited their Barcelona participation to just two of the available three days, further illustrating the varying approaches teams adopted during the initial evaluation phase.
The expanded roster of participants—with all teams running simultaneously—will provide an invaluable competitive snapshot as the season approaches. With such a steep learning curve surrounding the 2026 regulations, teams will almost certainly deploy their race drivers throughout the Bahrain tests rather than rotate in reserve or development drivers, maximizing their opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new machinery.
Sky Sports has confirmed a notable adjustment to its traditional pre-season testing coverage. While fans initially expected comprehensive live broadcasts of both Bahrain testing stints, Sky Sports F1 will only broadcast the final hour of track action during the first test week (February 11–13).
Notably, the second Bahrain test (February 18–20) will receive full live coverage across all three days, providing complete insight into how teams have progressed following the first test week.
The 2026 season represents one of the most comprehensive regulatory overhauls in modern Formula 1 history. To accommodate this seismic shift, both established and new constructors have been allocated three times the testing hours compared to the previous season, enabling teams to conduct thorough evaluation and development of their new power units and chassis.
Despite the ambitious nature of these changes, the sport has experienced a smooth introduction to the new machinery. Remarkably, there have been no major technical mishaps during the Barcelona shakedown or thus far in testing, suggesting that teams have managed the transition effectively and that the new regulations framework is fundamentally sound.
With testing concluding on February 20, teams will have minimal time to implement findings before the Australian Grand Prix. The season-opening race takes place on March 6–8 in Melbourne at 3pm local time. This tight turnaround emphasizes the importance of maximizing every minute of pre-season running and making data-driven decisions quickly.
The 2026 season promises to be a watershed moment for the sport, with new power unit suppliers, fresh aerodynamic regulations, and a completely reimagined technical landscape. The Bahrain tests will provide the first comprehensive public examination of how every team has prepared for this new era.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.