Insights from Day 2 of Bahrain Test’s Second Round
On the penultimate day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, Formula 1 teams pushed for performance enhancements, highlighting emerging trends in the paddock. With uncertainty surrounding the championship favorites, teams retained the top four positions from the previous season: McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari.
Top Teams Maintain Their Status
No team seemed eager to claim the title of favorite. Mercedes pointed to Red Bull as the frontrunners, while McLaren identified Ferrari and Mercedes as contenders. Red Bull, in turn, regarded Mercedes as the favorites. Despite this uncertainty, consensus among paddock members indicates that the previous year’s top teams remain at the forefront.
- Top Four Teams: McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari
- McLaren chief Zak Brown commented on the competitive landscape for the season.
Brown noted that while McLaren aims to stay competitive within the “big four”, the ongoing development race could see shifting advantages throughout the season.
Ferrari’s Innovative Approaches
Ferrari began the 2026 season with a Spec-A car focused on fundamental performance. During the testing period, they unveiled several new components, including a remarkable beam wing behind the exhaust. This design caught the attention of competitors.
On the first day of the second test, Lewis Hamilton showcased a cutting-edge flip rear wing that rotates during straight-line mode, leading to speculation about its potential future use. The team briefly removed the wing while completing long run tests. Ferrari has transitioned from being under the radar to demonstrating impressive performance, particularly with their rapid starts.
Aston Martin Faces Challenges
Aston Martin struggled on the penultimate testing day, facing significant technical issues. Fernando Alonso completed only 68 laps. His afternoon session concluded early due to a power unit issue identified by Honda. This left Aston Martin with critical laps uncompleted.
Alonso expressed concerns about the situation, stating, “We couldn’t complete our run plan due to a PU-related issue that caused an early finish.” He emphasized the need for improvements, reassuring fans that the team was working diligently to address the challenges.
Mercedes’ Efficient Testing Day
Mercedes experienced a highly productive day, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli completing 157 laps without interruptions. This high mileage allowed Mercedes to recover from previous setbacks faced during the first week of testing.
Trackside chief Andrew Shovlin praised the team’s commitment to understanding the W17 car through extensive testing. Notably, Antonelli set the fastest time during the evening session, showcasing the team’s potential as they fine-tune the setup with the C3 compound tire.
- Fastest Time: Set by Kimi Antonelli during evening conditions.
- George Russell expected to test the car in the final session.
Despite their impressive results, Antonelli remained cautious, highlighting the competitiveness among the top teams. “While that is positive, the gaps between those at the front are already incredibly small,” he commented, emphasizing the intensity of the competition.
