Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Dominate Final Day of Bahrain Pre-Season Test
Mercedes concluded the final day of the 2026 Bahrain pre-season test with an impressive performance, securing the top two positions on the timing sheets. Kimi Antonelli led the charge, clocking a remarkable time of 1m 33.669s, after teammate George Russell had initially set a time of 1m 33.918s in the morning session.
Highlights from the Bahrain Test
Despite facing some challenges with the W17, Antonelli managed to improve upon Russell’s time in the afternoon. Lewis Hamilton, driving the new Ferrari, was fast but finished just over half a second behind Antonelli.
Session Rankings
- Kimi Antonelli – 1m 33.669s
- George Russell – 1m 33.918s
- Lewis Hamilton – Just over 1m 34s
- Oscar Piastri – Fourth overall
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull driver
- Isack Hadjar – Red Bull driver
- Esteban Ocon – Haas driver
- Franco Colapinto – Alpine driver
- Ollie Bearman – Haas driver
- Nico Hulkenberg – Audi driver
Piastri secured a commendable fourth place, demonstrating solid performance throughout the day. Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar trailed close behind him.
Driving Challenges and Team Insights
Several drivers faced difficulties during the session. Alex Albon and Liam Lawson experienced moments of locking up and off-track excursions, leading to adjustments in their strategies.
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 14th position
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – Expressed concerns about team performance, estimating a gap of 4.5 seconds to the leaders.
- Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – Triggered a red flag earlier in the day due to a mechanical issue.
- Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – Completed a substantial amount of testing post-repair.
Piastri, Hamilton, Colapinto, and Lawson all recorded impressive mileage, with Piastri exceeding 150 laps and others achieving more than two race distances. This level of testing is crucial as teams seek to fine-tune their machines ahead of the racing season.
Looking Ahead
The Bahrain pre-season test is now concluded, with teams taking a brief pause to analyze the data collected. The next pre-season gathering is scheduled for February 18-20 at the same venue, where all eyes will be on further developments and performances as teams prepare for the upcoming season.
