Bahrain international circuit: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc recorded the fastest overall time as the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) concluded six days of Formula 1 Aramco Pre-Season Testing 2026. Leclerc clocked an impressive 1:31.992 in his Ferrari SF-26 during the final afternoon session under lights, marking the quickest lap of the tests and the only instance of a lap time under 1:32.000. The session wrapped up with a practice start along BIC's main straight, ahead of the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026, scheduled for April 10-12.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Leclerc completed 132 laps on the final day, finishing 0.879 seconds ahead of the reigning Formula 1 Drivers' World Champion Lando Norris, who had taken over from McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri after the morning session. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull Racing, 1.117 seconds off the pace, followed by George Russell for Mercedes and Pierre Gasly for Alpine in fifth position.
Completing the top ten were Oliver Bearman for Haas, Gabriel Bortoleto for Audi, Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes, Arvid Lindblad for Racing Bulls, and Carlos Sainz for Williams. Notably, Lindblad completed 165 laps, the highest total of the day. Also participating on the final day were Piastri, Esteban Ocon for Haas, Isack Hadjar for Red Bull Racing, Valtteri Bottas for Cadillac, Nico Hulkenberg for Audi, and Sergio Perez for Cadillac.
Testing marked the sixth consecutive year that Sakhir has hosted Formula 1's pre-season programme ahead of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The 2026 season is set to begin in Melbourne from March 6-8, before moving to China and Japan, and then to Bahrain for the fourth round of the 24-race championship.