F1 Testing Race Simulations: Key Insights Revealed
The Formula 1 teams have entered the Bahrain testing phase, gearing up for the 2026 season. With three more days of testing remaining, initial concerns about teams being unprepared have been addressed. The first Bahrain test has provided substantial insights into the race readiness of various teams.
Key Insights from Bahrain Testing
The first two days featured simple long runs, but by the final day, many teams had progressed to proper race simulations. Although the timing system experienced continuous outages, enough data emerged to analyze the performance of the teams.
Teams Conducting Race Simulations
Notable frontrunners in race simulations included:
- Mercedes
- McLaren
- Ferrari
Race Simulation Details
The following table outlines the race simulation performance of various drivers:
| Driver | Team | Stint 1 (Laps) | Stint 1 Avg Time | Stint 2 (Laps) | Stint 2 Avg Time | Stint 3 (Laps) | Stint 3 Avg Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 16 | 1m40.128s | 12 | 1m38.547s | N/A | N/A |
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 17 | 1m40.280s | 17 | 1m38.929s | 6 | 1m37.461s |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 11 | 1m40.947s | 20 | 1m39.604s | 18 | 1m38.472s |
| Sergio Perez | Cadillac | 15 | 1m43.432s | 15 | 1m41.577s | 21 | 1m41.275s |
| Esteban Ocon | Haas | 8 | 1m41.772s | 12 | 1m40.510s | 16 | 1m39.869s |
| Alex Albon | Williams | 17 | 1m43.074s | 17 | 1m41.754s | 18 | 1m40.241s |
| Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 18 | 1m42.285s | 11 | 1m40.640s | 13 | 1m39.565s |
| George Russell | Mercedes | 16 | 1m40.752s | 17 | 1m39.729s | 19 | 1m39.247s |
| Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 15 | 1m40.941s | 13 | 1m39.994s | 12 | 1m38.628s |
| Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 13 | 1m42.526s | 14 | 1m41.666s | 5 | 1m40.318s |
Performance Observations
The analysis of laptimes provides valuable insights into team performance. Oscar Piastri, running near Lewis Hamilton, displayed a noticeable performance gap. Additionally, Hamilton’s pace dipped in longer runs compared to his replacement, Antonelli. Overall, the data suggests that Mercedes may be in a strong position.
While Haas is showing promise as a middle-tier team, significant performance disparities exist between the front-runners and the midfield. Red Bull’s limited long run data does not provide a comprehensive picture, but early indications show competitive times.
As testing continues, teams will refine their setups, aiming to close the gaps observed and enhance their competitiveness for the upcoming season.
