Formula 1 is finally back. After a private shakedown session in Barcelona (to which even the press were not granted official access), we have finally had our first glimpse at this new generation of F1 machinery, ahead of what is arguably the biggest ruleset the sport has ever seen. Not only are these new cars shorter and narrower than their predecessors, but the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat) has been removed, which, in addition to the enlargement of the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic), means that these cars will obtain around half of their power from electrical sources. The drag reduction system has also been removed, with movable aerodynamic parts now in use.
The first of two three-day tests at the Bahrain International Circuit has given us our first indication of the possible pecking order ahead of the 2026 season. With that in mind, here is Living Sports’ assessment of where each team currently stands.
The reigning constructors’ champions enjoyed a largely trouble-free run in Bahrain. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completed a combined total of 422 laps, the joint most of any team, while the former clocked the fastest time on day one. A handful of offs at Bahrain’s notorious turn ten was of little concern to the Woking-based outfit. Piastri praised his team’s efforts, stating that their week had been “very productive” with a few “minor niggles” the only point of concern. With little drama and plenty of running, the reigning world champions look well-placed ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.
Having been widely regarded as the pre-season favourites ahead of what is expected to be an engine-centric regulation cycle, Mercedes endured a troubling three days. After an immaculate run in Barcelona (during which they clocked the most laps of any team), trackside engineering director Andrew Shovelin admitted to issues with balance, brake locking and general inconsistency. George Russell substantiated these claims by stating that after an unexpectedly smooth session in Spain, the Silver Arrows had taken a step back. Despite this, Russell was the first driver to set a time in the 1m 33’s on the final day, while teammate Kimi Antonelli went on to set the fastest time. Mercedes has been tipped by many (including Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc) to be the early pace setters. However, it remains to be seen whether or not the technical gremlins they encountered in Bahrain will persist throughout the season.
Red Bull have been the subject of significant media attention. 2026 marks both the beginning of a technical partnership with Ford, as well as the first season for the team’s very own power units. After a solid showing in Barcelona, during which they did not encounter any major reliability trouble, Red Bull doubled down on their good form in Bahrain. They may have completed just 343 laps (the sixth most of all the teams), but the RB 22’s superior power deployment caught the eye of many, most notably Toto Wolff. The Mercedes team principal described Red Bull’s power unit as the “benchmark” and stated that Mercedes needed to get their “act together” if they were to have any hope in catching up.
Both Red Bull and Mercedes are reported to have capitalised on a loophole in the 2026 regulations. The new rules mandate a maximum engine compression ratio of 16:1 (down from 18:1 in the previous generation). However, the compression ratio is measured at ambient temperatures. Ever since January, reports have suggested that Mercedes and Red Bull have found a way of increasing their engines’ compression ratios under higher temperatures, thereby bypassing the regulations. The legality of their methods is yet to be determined, but as things stand, both teams look to have the engines of choice going forward.
The only major warning bells from Red Bull’s pre-season test were sounded by Max Verstappen. The four-time world champion openly criticised the new regulations, stating that the greater emphasis on lifting and coasting (in order to harvest energy for the battery) was “not a lot of fun”. Verstappen likened the sport’s new look to “Formula E on steroids” and described the required driving style as “anti-racing”.
However, Verstappen is nothing if not adaptable, and with his new teammate Isack Hadjar having also enjoyed a largely trouble-free test, Red Bull will be worth watching in 2026.
Building on their solid, if low-key, start in Barcelona, Ferrari continued their steady progress in Bahrain. Lewis Hamilton’s premature trackside stop at the end of day three was a minor blot on an otherwise credible test. The Scuderia completed a combined total of 421 laps, just one less than McLaren, and secured plenty of invaluable data. Lewis Hamilton’s long run pace was comparable to that of Oscar Piastri, while Leclerc secured the fastest time on day two. Additionally, Ferrari seems to be on top when it comes to start procedures (a major point of contention for the 2026 cars so far), and McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has stated that Ferrari, along with Mercedes, are the two strongest teams at the moment.
However, Ferrari are reported to have missed out on the aforementioned compression ratio loophole, and Leclerc has suggested that Mercedes are hiding their true pace. It may not have been an emphatic start to the season, but after the woes of 2025 – a season in which the Scuderia went winless for the third time in six years – a solid, untroubled test is arguably just what Ferrari needed.
After missing the Barcelona shakedown run thanks to a series of failed crash tests, Williams were the subject of much pitlane gossip. Starting on the back foot, the Grove–based outfit was focused on mileage rather than tangible performance gains. In that sense, Bahrain can be considered a resounding success as the team drew level with McLaren at the top of the lap charts with 422 tours of the circuit.
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon both said they enjoyed their time at the wheel but have also acknowledged that significant fine-tuning will be needed ahead of the season opener. Team principal James Vowels acknowledged the comparative lack of running time but stated that the team’s current objective is to forge a “good, sensible plan” across the two Bahrain test sessions. Williams have long since voiced their prioritisation of 2026 and will therefore be subject to intense scrutiny going forward.
The Racing Bulls also ran largely trouble-free. As the Red Bull sister team, they share the same power units and could look to benefit should Red Bull’s pre-season potential bear fruit. Liam Lawson spun during the final day of testing but managed to complete 169 laps over the three days. His new teammate, Arvid Lindblad, managed 158 laps and ran largely without incident. A solid start for 2026’s only rookie driver.
If there was a definitive loser of the Bahrain test, it was almost certainly Aston Martin.
Never mind the fact that Lance Stroll locked up three times in four laps at turn ten on the first day, the Silverstone squad completed just 202 laps across the whole test, the fewest of any team. Cursory viewings of the AMR-26’s runs are enough to suggest that it is the most difficult car on the grid, with the front stiff and the rear brakes prone to locking.
Fernando Alonso insisted that with the great Adrian Newey at the helm, the team will find a way to the front of the grid, but Stroll stated that there is a lot of catching up to do. Preliminary indications suggest the AMR-26 could be as much as four and a half seconds off the pace. Should problems persist, Aston Martin looks set for yet another trying season.
By contrast, Haas appears to have had a quiet but commendable test, clocking 390 laps (the fourth most of any team) and avoiding any major reliability issues. Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon set the eighth and ninth fastest times of the test, respectively. Ocon was particularly vocal in praise, stating that the team had learned more from the three days in Bahrain than they had throughout all of last season.
Their form may have been exaggerated by the struggles of other teams, but with plenty of mileage under their belt and no mechanical issues to speak of, Haas are currently poised to strike a solid blow in F1’s ultra-competitive midfield.
Having taken over the Sauber squad and opted to run their own, brand new power units, Audi come into 2026 as something of an unknown. Gabriel Bortoleto had an incident at turn one on day two, while Nico Hulkenberg brought out the red flag after stopping his car with two and a half hours remaining. Despite this, the team managed the fifth most laps at 354, and team principal Jonathan Wheatley remained upbeat about Audi’s prospects. The former Red Bull sporting director praised his team’s ‘boldness’ in introducing a new aerodynamic package for the test, but acknowledged the significant steps that have yet to be taken.
Alpine are another team with plenty to learn going into 2026. The French outfit has ditched their Renault engines in favour of Mercedes power units. After a solid showing in Spain, there was noticeable teething trouble in Bahrain. Franco Colapinto ground to a halt after just 28 laps on day one, while Pierre Gasly’s running on day two was cut short with a mechanical issue. Gasly later admitted to there being “a lot of question marks” over the A526, which managed just 318 laps over the three days, just above Mercedes and Aston Martin.
The first Bahrain test has given us our first proper look at Formula One’s newest team. The fledgling outfit is fielding the highly experienced duo of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, both of whom are returning to the grid after a year on the sidelines.
As a result, the emphasis was on mileage, with the team racking up 320 laps over the three days. Like many, Perez ran wide at turn 10 on day one but went on to complete 167 tours of the circuit. Bottas managed 153 and praised his team’s efforts in making it to both the shakedown and pre-season testing. Despite starting from scratch, the Finn remained confident in Cadillac’s abilities and insisted that the focus would soon shift from “debugging” to tangible performance gains.
With all eleven teams running different programs at different times, it's impossible to ascertain a clear pecking order from this test alone. However, with another test still to run and the season opener in Melbourne less than three weeks away, it won't be long until we know who lies where in 2026.
