Bahrain Test Week Signals Early F1 Hierarchy, But Clarity Remains Elusive
The first week of Bahrain testing for F1’s 2026 rules showed Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull at the head of the field, but the order is far from settled as teams acclimate to the new regulations and aero concepts. Alpine, Haas and Williams form the tight midfield, with Williams logging a high mileage tally and notable reliability. A second midfield group includes Racing Bulls and Audi, both still developing their cars, while Aston Martin’s pace remains a concern—Lance Stroll said the AMR26 was significantly off the pace and Honda power was overweight— and Cadillac debuted with solid reliability but sat just outside the top 10. Overall, teams urge caution and expect rapid evolution in the second Bahrain test before Melbourne.