Ferrari set the tone during the morning session, with Charles Leclerc completing a productive programme and finishing the session as the quickest driver (1:33.739). The team focused mainly on consistent long runs and data gathering, while McLaren also looked competitive, staying close to the front throughout the early hours.

Not every team enjoyed a smooth start, however. Red Bull experienced a cooling-related issue that limited running, while Aston Martin also lost time because of an engine problem that required garage work. Cadillac faced its own setbacks, with Sergio Perez initially sidelined by technical troubles before managing more laps later in the session.

The afternoon brought a change of drivers for most teams and a slightly busier track. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri moved to the top of the order during the later running (1:33.469). Around 30 minutes before the end of the session, however, George Russell set the fastest time of the day with a lap of 1:33.459 for Mercedes.

There were also interruptions. Lance Stroll spun into the gravel, briefly triggering a red flag period. Ferrari’s afternoon programme with Lewis Hamilton was later interrupted as mechanics worked on the car behind screens outside the garage, hinting at a possible technical check.

Overall, the opening day combined promising pace from several front-running teams with the usual pre-season reliability challenges, leaving plenty for engineers to analyse before testing continues.

Results: Bahrain test day 1

1. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:33.459, 76 laps
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.010, 70 laps
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.280, 70 laps
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.593, 54 laps
5. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.699, 69 laps
6. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) – +0.801, 66 laps
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.840, 44 laps
8. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +1.654, 55 laps
9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +1.795, 60 laps
10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – +1.804, 71 laps
11. Alexander Albon (Williams) – +2.231, 55 laps
12. Liam Lawson (Red Bull) – +2.294, 61 laps
13. Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +2.319, 42 laps
14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +2.439, 61 laps
15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +2.515, 26 laps
16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – +2.959, 65 laps
17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +3.077, 28 laps
18. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) – +3.282, 49 laps
19. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – +3.310, 75 laps
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – +3.339, 35 laps
21. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – +4.732, 24 laps