F1 Testing 2026: Bahrain dates, times and how to watch live

Lewis Hamilton drives the SF-26 for the first time — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 Explained

F1 Testing 2026: Bahrain dates, times and how to watch live

All you need to know about F1 testing in 2026

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Tuesday 3 February 2026 14:45 Updated: 14:54

The countdown is well and truly on to the start of the 2026 F1 season, with two more rounds of testing about to get under way.

We have already had a five-day shakedown in Barcelona, but that of course took place behind closed doors. So F1 fans right now are surviving on the nuggets of information which did make it out of the Circuit de Catalunya.

Next up we have two separate three-day testing windows in Bahrain, and they will tell us much much more about the 2026 pecking order on the grid.

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Barcelona suggested that Mercedes will be tough to beat, that Red Bull might be better than we expected and Ferrari (as ever) head into the season with some optimism. Oh, and that Adrian Newey Aston Martin has some potential.

In the next few days we'll find out a lot more, and here are the key details you need.

When is F1 testing in Bahrain

There are two different windows - the first from February 11-13 inclusive and the second from February 18-20 inclusive.

For both windows, testing will take place between 10am and 7pm local time (AST) each day, split into morning and afternoon sessions. For viewers in the UK, testing, once again, starts at 7am and finishes at 4pm (GMT). If you are in the US, start time each day for you is 2am Eastern.

How to watch Bahrain testing live

Okay so fans hoping to watch every second of F1 testing from Bahrain, we have some bad news for you. Not all of it will be televised live.

For that February 11-13 window, coverage each day is limited to one hour - starting at 3pm UK each day (10am Eastern, 7am Pacific, 4pm CET).

As of now, it looks like there WILL be full coverage of testing from February 18-20, with coverage then scheduled to start at 7am UK each day (8am CET, 2am Eastern).

What to look out for in F1 testing in 2026

During testing, all 11 F1 teams will test the brand new Pirelli 2026 tyres, trial the X-Mode and Z-Mode on both front and rear wings and adjust to the new concept of cars.

Expect the usual testing gubbins, such as flow-vis paint (fluorescent fluid that allows aerodynamicists to analyse the airflow over aero surfaces such as the sidepods, rear wing and front wing while it’s on track.)

Also expect to see the return of aero rakes, a light scaffolding mounted on the car that contains sensors that can measure pressure and temperature, or can measure how the airflow flows from the tyres or the front wing, for example. Teams can compare data from the wind tunnel with data from the aero rakes to come up with a better aerodynamic setup for a particular circuit.

Barcelona shakedown and Bahrain Testing Week 1 schedule

Why is there so much F1 testing this year?

The huge overhaul in chassis and engine regulations for the 2026 season means there are three pre-season tests, instead of just one three-day test in February.

Neither team has on track experience of the new regulations, and will continue to work on their 2026 spec cars throughout the off season, so what you see on track during testing may not be what you see in Melbourne in March.

Alongside official tests in Barcelona and Bahrain, teams are allowed private shakedowns with their new car.

Under the FIA's regulations, F1 teams are given two days in which 200 kilometres of running are permitted, with Audi already out taking to the track in their 2026 challenger.

Rather than performance development, these tests are about basic systems functionality and teams are unable to access any data to improve performance.

Instead these tests, particularly beneficial for new teams like Cadillac and Audi, are integral for the team to get trackside experience and the drivers a feel for the new car in the cockpit.

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F1 Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya F1 Testing Sakhir