Key Takeaways from F1 Preseason Test: McLaren Anxieties, Aston Martin Troubles

Bassyonni

Published: February 14, 2026 2:36 PM ET

The second preseason test for Formula 1 in 2026 unfolded at the Bahrain International Circuit, drawing attention from all 11 teams. This test comes after an initial, closed session in Barcelona at the end of January. Teams seized the opportunity to assess their new cars in warm and dry conditions, mirroring race environments for the upcoming season.

Key Takeaways from F1 Preseason Test: McLaren Anxieties, Aston Martin Troubles

Competitive Landscape of the Season

The 2026 season’s competitive outlook is shaping up alongside the established dominance of F1’s “big four”: Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. These teams took turns setting the fastest lap times during the Bahrain test.

Mercedes ended the test with the fastest lap at 1m33.669s, thanks to driver Kimi Antonelli.
Russell was noted for his impressive lap times in the early session on hotter asphalt.
Red Bull’s new engine has significantly exceeded expectations, showcasing commendable reliability throughout the tests.

Red Bull’s Promising Engine Performance

Red Bull’s new engine development, supported by Ford, has emerged as a positive highlight. Driver Isack Hadjar expressed surprise over the engine’s performance, which had surpassed their expectations during these initial tests.

The team completed test runs reliably, marking a pivotal moment in their engine project, initiated three years ago.
Hadjar noted that continuous testing had helped the team build confidence heading into the new season.

Aston Martin’s Challenges

Aston Martin’s performance raised notable concerns. After a limited showing in Barcelona, the team managed only 206 laps in Bahrain, the least among all competitors.

Driver Lance Stroll expressed worries about being several seconds behind leading teams.
Fernando Alonso acknowledged that finding performance improvements would be crucial as the season approaches.

Driver Adaptations to New Cars

Amid the adjustment period for drivers, notable changes to driving techniques were observed. Max Verstappen criticized the new F1 cars, calling them “anti-racing.” The adaptation to the new car specifications poses challenges for many drivers.

Strategies such as using first gear in slow corners have emerged to optimize performance.
Drivers are adapting their start procedures due to changes in turbo spooling dynamics, which adds complexity to launches.

New Entries: Cadillac and Audi

Caddillac and Audi, both new to F1, revealed promising results during their tests. Cadillac, with veteran drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, completed 320 laps despite some cooling issues.

Audi also ran a solid number of laps, totaling 354, while debuting its new engine and design features.
Both teams aim to gradually enhance their standings, setting realistic performance expectations.

Concerns Raised Over Start Procedures

Amid concerns about pre-race procedures, McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella called for a review of start protocols after chaotic moments during testing. The complexity involved with the new turbo start has prompted discussions regarding potential rule adjustments.

Stella highlighted the need for clarity on start timings and strategies to enhance safety.
Oscar Piastri, a McLaren driver, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the risks associated with the current start dynamics.

As the start of the new season on March 8 approaches, the F1 Commission will discuss these issues. Whether rule changes will be implemented remains uncertain, but safety continues to be a primary focus.