Pre-season testing for the 2026 Formula 1 championship has concluded with nine days of running in Bahrain and Barcelona, setting the stage for the opening round in Australia. The data reveals insights into team form ahead of sweeping regulation changes.
Ferrari drivers set the fastest laps in both tests, with Charles Leclerc topping the timesheets in Bahrain and Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona. However, direct comparisons are complicated by varying fuel loads and testing programs. Notably, Leclerc's best Bahrain time was over two seconds slower than the fastest lap from the 2025 test.
In terms of reliability and mileage, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Esteban Ocon stood out by each exceeding 3,000 kilometers driven. On the team side, Haas, Mercedes, and Ferrari all surpassed the 6,000km mark, with Haas's achievement being particularly notable for a midfield squad. Newcomer Audi also showed consistency, nearing 5,000km.
Mercedes-powered teams collectively covered over 20,000km, equivalent to half the Earth's circumference, leading the engine mileage standings. Ferrari and Red Bull Ford also posted strong averages, while Honda faced challenges, primarily with Aston Martin.