Five Takeaways from Formula 1's First 2026 Preseason Test in Bahrain
The 2026 Formula 1 season is beginning to take shape, and Bahrain just gave us our first real glimpse of what this new era might look like. Over three days of testing, teams rolled out their updated cars, drivers got their first laps under the new regulations, and the paddock buzzed with opinions-some optimistic, some not so much.
Here are five key storylines from the opening test session in the desert.
1. Drivers Aren’t Exactly Loving the New-Gen Cars
Let’s just say the early reviews from behind the wheel are... mixed.
Fernando Alonso, never one to sugarcoat, didn’t hold back. He joked that even the team chef could handle the new cars, a jab at how much slower drivers are having to go in certain corners to manage the hybrid power unit’s battery. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Lewis Hamilton echoed some of those concerns. While he admitted the new cars are “more fun” to drive in some ways, he also criticized the complexity of the new power units, especially the increased focus on electrical management. “That’s not what racing is about,” he said, adding that fans might need a degree just to understand the rulebook now.
And then there was Max Verstappen. The reigning champ called the new cars flat-out “not fun” and compared the regulations to “Formula E on steroids.” For someone who thrives on feel and control, the shift in focus from pure combustion power to intricate battery management clearly isn’t his cup of tea.
Still, not every driver is panicking. George Russell, for one, seems willing to give the new rules a chance.
And to be fair, we’re only at the very beginning of a long development curve. But one thing’s for sure: this new generation of F1 cars looks and feels very different-and not everyone’s thrilled about it.
2. Mercedes’ Engine Advantage May Be Under Fire
Mercedes has been under the microscope for a potential power unit loophole-specifically, a higher compression ratio when the engine heats up, something that reportedly isn’t caught during standard ambient-temperature compliance tests.
Toto Wolff says the FIA is aware and that the team has been given the green light. But rivals aren’t convinced.
The concern is that Mercedes might be gaining a performance edge that other teams can’t replicate under current rules. And that’s led to some serious lobbying behind the scenes.
To change the testing procedures, four out of the five engine manufacturers-plus F1 management and the FIA-would have to agree. With Ferrari, Audi, Honda, and Red Bull all reportedly in favor of closing the loophole, the pressure is mounting.
Whether Mercedes keeps this potential edge or not, the outcome could shape the early part of the season. And if the FIA steps in before the first race, we might see a very different engine landscape by the time the lights go out.
3. Nobody Wants the Favorite Tag-But the Top Four Are Still the Top Four
If there’s one thing you can count on in F1 preseason, it’s sandbagging. The top teams want to fly under the radar, and Bahrain was no exception.
Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren all looked strong, but none of them wanted to own the “favorite” label. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell posted the fastest times of the week, but Mercedes insisted Red Bull’s electric motor is the real difference-maker. Russell even claimed Red Bull has as much as a second-per-lap advantage in electric deployment.
Verstappen fired back, accusing Mercedes of playing mind games and hiding their own advantage. “Wait until Melbourne,” he said, suggesting Mercedes will suddenly “find” a lot more power when it counts. Red Bull’s technical director Pierre Wache even claimed his team is only the fourth-best right now.
McLaren’s Andrea Stella pointed to Ferrari and Mercedes as the quickest in race simulations. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc gave the nod to Red Bull and Mercedes, saying Ferrari still has more to show.
So, who’s really on top? It’s hard to say for sure-but the top four from last season still look like the teams to beat. And the gamesmanship is already in full swing.
4. Aston Martin’s Start Is... Rough
It’s only testing, but things aren’t looking great for Aston Martin.
According to Lance Stroll, the AMR26 is struggling in three key areas: engine, balance, and grip. That’s a tough trifecta to overcome in any season, let alone one with brand-new regulations.
The car completed the fewest laps of any team due to issues ranging from a “data anomaly” with the new Honda power unit to general performance problems. Even when it was on track, the AMR26 wasn’t anywhere near competitive.
Stroll estimated the team is about four seconds off the pace-and the timing sheets back that up. Aston Martin’s best lap was a 1:38.165, well behind Mercedes (1:33.669), Ferrari (1:34.209), and McLaren (1:34.549).
It’s a disappointing start to what was supposed to be a promising new chapter, especially with names like Alonso, Adrian Newey, and Honda in the mix. There’s time to turn it around, but right now, Aston Martin looks like a team in search of answers.
5. Audi’s Quiet Debut Just Got a Lot Louder
Audi might have flown under the radar in Barcelona, but they made some noise in Bahrain-figuratively, not literally.
After a low-key shakedown, Audi showed up to preseason testing with a bold new design feature: vertical, slimmed-down sidepods. It’s the kind of innovation that suggests they’re not just here to participate-they’re here to compete.
And on the track, they held their own. Audi’s lap times and mileage put them squarely in the midfield, which is exactly where a new team wants to be at this stage. They didn’t set the world on fire, but they didn’t look out of place either.
In a sport where first impressions matter, Audi’s was quietly confident-and potentially a sign of things to come.
Final Thoughts
The first Bahrain test didn’t just give us lap times-it gave us storylines. From driver frustrations and engine controversies to underwhelming starts and surprise innovations, the 2026 season is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory.
There’s another Bahrain session coming up, and with it, more chances for teams to fine-tune, for drivers to adapt, and for the pecking order to take clearer shape. But one thing’s already clear: this new era of Formula 1 is going to challenge everyone-on and off the track.