Who was the fastest and who recorded the most laps at the first 2026 Bahrain pre-season test?

The first of two 2026 pre-season tests in Bahrain is now complete, with all 11 teams and 22 drivers gaining mileage at the Bahrain International Circuit. But who amassed the highest lap count, and who set the quickest time? F1.com has rounded up all of the key numbers from the test…

McLaren

Total laps – 422
Fastest lap – 1m 34.549s (Oscar Piastri)

McLaren achieved the joint-highest lap count of the test – tied on 422 with Williams – and also topped the timesheets on the opening day of the event via reigning World Champion Lando Norris.

The team seemed content with what they achieved in Bahrain, with Norris speaking of the “good learning” that they had achieved on Day 2.

Mercedes

Total laps – 282
Fastest lap – 1m 33.669s (Kimi Antonelli)

While their lap count was on the lower end of the scale – with it being second from bottom – Mercedes were responsible for the fastest lap times in Bahrain. George Russell initially went top in the morning on Day 3, before Kimi Antonelli put in an even quicker tour later on to set the best lap of the test.

Despite this, Russell has suggested that the Silver Arrows had “taken a step back” when he spoke to the media on Friday, the squad having suffered their first technical gremlins of the pre-season on Wednesday and Thursday.

Red Bull

Total laps – 343
Fastest lap – 1m 34.798s (Max Verstappen)

Red Bull seemed to catch the eye of their rivals in Bahrain, with Russell singling them out as the “team to beat”.

Like Mercedes, the Milton Keynes-based outfit did not avoid issues, with Isack Hadjar spending much of Thursday morning in the garage owing to a problem. However, the team achieved good mileage and impressed with the reliability of their first Red Bull Ford Powertrains engine.

Ferrari

Total laps – 420
Fastest lap – 1m 34.209s (Lewis Hamilton)

Ferrari’s mileage was impressive at the Bahrain International Circuit, only beaten by McLaren and Williams by a couple of laps.

While there was a late stoppage for Lewis Hamilton on Friday afternoon, the team were another to enjoy good reliability, though Charles Leclerc admitted that he would remain “really cautious” in terms of assessing their performance level.

Williams

Total laps – 422
Fastest lap – 1m 36.793s (Alex Albon)

Williams shared the accolade of top mileage during the first Bahrain test with McLaren, both teams have notched up 422 laps each.

Given that the Grove-based outfit were absent from the Barcelona Shakedown, Team Principal James Vowles suggested that the “mood has lifted” within the squad after getting back on track in Sakhir.

Racing Bulls

Total laps – 326
Fastest lap – 1m 36.808s (Liam Lawson)

It looked to be a solid test for Racing Bulls, with Team Principal Alan Permane stating that – after an issue on the first day hampered their running – the outfit had enjoyed a “very good week”.

The event also gave rookie Arvid Lindblad further mileage in the car, the British driver stating that he was getting “more comfortable” with his new machine.

Aston Martin

Total laps – 206
Fastest lap – 1m 38.248s (Fernando Alonso)

Aston Martin did not shy away from the fact that their testing was not entirely smooth. Having joined the Barcelona Shakedown later than others, the squad arrived in Bahrain more on the back foot than some of their rivals.

The team ended the first test in Sakhir with the lowest lap count as well as being on the lower end of the scale in terms of lap times, leading Lance Stroll to suggest that they “need to find more performance”.

Haas

Total laps – 390
Fastest lap – 1m 35.394s (Ollie Bearman)

In terms of mileage, Haas were another team to put in a strong number of laps in Bahrain, with their total of 390 putting them only behind McLaren, Williams and Ferrari.

Team Principal Ayao Komatsu was pleased with the squad’s smooth test, adding that Haas are “on target” with their programme as they look ahead to the second test in Bahrain.

Audi

Total laps – 353
Fastest lap – 1m 36.291s (Nico Hulkenberg)

After the first day of testing in Bahrain, Audi’s drivers suggested that there was a learning curve ahead as the former Kick Sauber outfit embark on their maiden campaign under the German manufacturer’s name.

Despite this, the squad achieved a decent lap count during the test, and Hulkenberg admitted that they had taken “a good step forward in terms of performance, in terms of reliability”.

Alpine

Total laps – 318
Fastest lap – 1m 35.806s (Franco Colapinto)

Alpine’s three days in Bahrain were not without their issues, with both Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly experiencing stoppages during their time on track.

However, Managing Director Steve Nielsen spoke positively about how the team had worked through their programme, adding that the Enstone-based outfit had “made a much better car than last year”.

Cadillac

Total laps – 320
Fastest lap – 1m 36.824s (Valtteri Bottas)

Cadillac were pleased with what they achieved during last month’s Barcelona Shakedown – and this was again the case for the new team in Bahrain.

While there were some technical issues along the way, the squad still ended the event with a decent lap count, and Team Principal Graeme Lowdon hailed the test as “very productive”.