F1 Testing 2026: Bahrain driver lineups and team schedules for today

Max Verstappen, generic, Bahrain, Testweek, 2026 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 Testing 2026

F1 Testing 2026: Bahrain driver lineups and team schedules for today

When each driver will be taking to the track on Friday February 20

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Friday 20 February 2026 08:00

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The second round of official pre-season testing for the 2026 F1 championship concludes today (Friday February 20) at the Bahrain International Circuit and we have driver schedules for every single team.

Last week we saw all 11 teams take to the track after the closed doors shakedown in Barcelona last month, but this week's test marks the first time fans can watch the full three days live.

Once again all 22 drivers return for three days this week (Wednesday February 18-Friday February 20), where they will split their duties between the AM and PM sessions.

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When will each each team and their drivers be in action in Bahrain?

So, when will each driver be taking to the track to get further acquainted with their brand new machinery following the 2026 regulation overhaul?

Each team has chosen to either split its driver duo up for the morning and afternoon testing sessions, or dedicate an entire day to each of its drivers. And we now have full details for day three for every single team.

This week's pre-season testing will take place between 10am and 7pm local time (AST) which translates to 7am until 4pm GMT, with the entire three-test being shown live on Sky Sports and F1TV.

Keep an eye on this article for the very latest updates:

Bahrain F1 Testing Lineup
Team	Fri AM	Fri PM
McLaren	Piastri	Norris
Mercedes	Antonelli	Russell
Red Bull	Hadjar	Verstappen
Ferrari	Leclerc	Leclerc
Williams	Sainz	Sainz
Racing Bulls	Lindblad	Lindblad
Aston Martin	Stroll	Stroll
Haas	Ocon	Bearman
Audi	Hulkenberg	Bortoleto
Alpine	Colapinto	Colapinto
Cadillac	Perez	Bottas

TV channel and live stream - how to watch live

In the UK, Sky Sports F1 will be showing every minute of pre-season testing action this week, having only broadcast an hour per day during last week's event.

This will be live on F1TV too, while the F1 website is the place to go for live updates on lap times, as well as interviews with various drivers and team bosses.

Fans in the UK also have the added bonus of a 'Ted's Notebook' from the great Ted Kravitz - that will air on Sky Sports F1 at 8pm UK (9pm CET, 3pm Eastern, 12pm Pacific).

When does the 2026 F1 season start?

After the final round of pre-season tests in Bahrain this week, the countdown begins for the 2026 season.

All 11 teams will then be in action when the 2026 season starts in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix. The first race of the year takes place on March 8 at 3pm local time (AEDT), 4am GMT, and 11pm ET.

F1 pre-season testing