Lead
On the third and final day of the second pre-season test in Bahrain, teams shifted into performance mode with late stints on soft tyres that offered a clearer view of likely pecking order ahead of the 2026 season opener in Melbourne. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull all demonstrated bursts of pace that place them as clear front-runners, though exact order remains finely balanced. Haas produced one of its most reliable and competitive tests since 2016, while Aston Martin endured a curtailed, unreliable closing day that leaves it on the back foot. Several teams reported upgrades in setup understanding or power-unit reliability, shaping expectations for the first race.
Key takeaways
- Four-team scrap: Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull all posted performance indicators on Day 3 that suggest they will contest the lead in Australia.
- Mercedes showed strong comfort and pace in running, but reliability concerns surfaced after Kimi Antonelli lost time to a pneumatic fault on the morning programme.
- Ferrari combined consistent running with late-session speed runs, with Charles Leclerc delivering notably quick laps on soft tyres.
- Red Bull remained robust overall; Max Verstappen experienced superior reliability to new team-mate Isack Hadjar as their power unit performed well.
- McLaren improved markedly on the final day, appearing to narrow the understanding gap versus earlier sessions and the field.
- Haas enjoyed unusually smooth testing with consistent mileage and competitive lap times, positioning them at the sharp end of the midfield.
- Aston Martin completed only 128 laps across the test—78 fewer than the previous week—and lost 2.5 hours on the final day due to a shortage of Honda power-unit parts.
- Williams completed a full programme after skipping the Barcelona shakedown; the team acknowledges it starts the year slightly behind and will pursue an aggressive development plan.
Background
Pre-season testing is intended to help teams validate aerodynamic trim, tyre understanding and power-unit behaviour ahead of the opening race in Melbourne, Australia, next month. Teams use a mix of long runs, aero checks and short high-fuel performance simulations; the soft-tyre runs on Day 3 are particularly valuable for approximating qualifying pace under comparable conditions. With new regulations and evolving power-unit developments for 2026, testing outcomes are read with caution: reliability problems can mask potential pace, and controlled programmes may hide performance for strategic reasons.
Last week’s first Bahrain test established baseline durability and systems integration; the second test focused more on set-up and performance comparisons. Several teams brought revised parts or updated software maps, while others concentrated on collecting tyre data across compounds. Stakeholders—manufacturers, engine partners and driver line-ups—are all using the two-test window to prioritise which weaknesses to address before the championship begins.
Main event
Mercedes spent much of Day 3 looking settled on-track and comfortable in different trims, suggesting their aero and chassis balance are in a strong place. However, reliability remains a live issue: Kimi Antonelli lost substantial running to a pneumatic problem in the morning, and the team did not complete many late low-fuel, high-grip runs that would more clearly confirm peak single-lap pace.
Ferrari combined consistent mileage with eye-catching speed in the final hours. Charles Leclerc produced several quick laps on soft rubber that underlined the team’s race readiness and mechanical robustness; the team’s durability across sessions was a notable positive heading into Melbourne.
Red Bull again looked solid across the day. Max Verstappen enjoyed the better reliability of the two Red Bull drivers and extracted strong performance from the package, while new signing Isack Hadjar experienced more intermittent issues. Red Bull’s power-unit continued to be a reliable contributor to their overall pace profile.
McLaren showed clearer signs of progress on the concluding day, with the reigning World Champions appearing to understand their car better than during earlier running. The team completed programmes aimed at balancing race and qual trim and reported meaningful setup gains that could translate into improved competitiveness at the first race.
Haas quietly compiled impressive running throughout the test window. The American squad’s programme produced steady laps and no major stoppages, a rarity since its 2016 debut, and team drivers reported that the package felt competitive—placing Haas toward the top of the midfield and, at times, nudging into the upper midfield bracket.
Aston Martin’s test ended prematurely. The team managed only 128 laps across the second test and lost 2.5 hours on the final day when shortages of Honda power-unit parts halted running. Lance Stroll described the past fortnight as challenging, and the team conceded that performance levels are below target and that significant work lies ahead.
Analysis & implications
The headline from Day 3 is how close the top four teams look on paper: Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull all posted evidence of performance, but differences are marginal and context-sensitive. Short runs on soft tyres offer useful telemetry about peak lap capability, yet they are influenced by fuel loads, engine modes and slipstream effects—so translating test times into a definitive race order remains risky.
Reliability versus raw pace will be decisive in early rounds. Mercedes’ comfort with balance is encouraging, but Antonelli’s pneumatic failure shows durability questions persist. Conversely, Ferrari’s clean running and late-session speed runs suggest a mature package; that reliability could be as valuable as outright lap time when the season begins in Melbourne.
For midfield order, Haas’ trouble-free programme is the most credible sign of upward movement: sustained reliability allows them to trial setups and run aggressive programmes that reveal true performance potential. Williams’ aggressive catch-up approach—after missing the Barcelona shakedown—may pay off tactically, but the team has acknowledged it will start the year on the back foot and must prioritise development in the opening races.
Aston Martin faces the steepest climb. The shortage of power-unit parts and limited running mean unfinished test objectives and fewer data points to validate upgrades. The team has resources—design leadership, facilities and personnel—but converting that capacity into on-track performance will take time, making the opening rounds a crucial stress test of their recovery plan.
Comparison & data
| Team | Notable Day 3 outcome | Known laps / change |
|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin | Severely limited running; power-unit parts shortage | 128 laps (−78 vs prior week) |
| Haas | High reliability and consistent pace | N/A |
| Top four (Mercedes/Ferrari/McLaren/Red Bull) | Late soft-tyre performance runs suggested similar peak pace | N/A |
The only precise, published lap figure from the final day is Aston Martin’s 128 laps and the stated 78-lap drop versus the previous test week. Many teams ran mixed programmes that intentionally obscure direct lap-time comparisons: fuel loads, tyre age and engine mode differ across cars and teams. Use the table above as a contextual snapshot rather than a strict ranking—testing is about programme validation as much as raw times.
Reactions & quotes
“Today was by far our most productive session and I’m proud of the team’s effort across pre-season testing.”
Ollie Bearman, Haas (driver)
Bearman framed Haas’ day as a step forward after consistent, low-issue running across the test window—signalling confidence inside the American squad that their package can fight at the top of the midfield.
“It’s clear the car isn’t where we want it; there’s a lot of work ahead to unlock performance.”
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (driver)
Stroll’s comment reflected Aston Martin’s truncated running and parts-related stoppage, and the team acknowledged it will need concentrated development time before the season opener.
“We were on the back foot after missing Barcelona, but we completed the programme and will push aggressively to extract more performance.”
James Vowles, Williams (team principal)
Vowles described a deliberate recovery plan following Williams’ missed shakedown, highlighting a targeted development push in the weeks ahead.
Unconfirmed
- Exact pecking order among Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull for the opening race remains unconfirmed; late soft-tyre runs narrow possibilities but do not settle the hierarchy.
- The timeline for Aston Martin to regain full running and parts availability has not been specified by the team and remains uncertain.
Bottom line
Day 3 in Bahrain sharpened the view that the opening rounds will likely feature a close contest between Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull, with small margins and reliability differences likely to determine early results. Haas emerges as a credible threat inside the midfield thanks to unusually trouble-free testing, while Williams and other midfield teams continue targeted recovery and development programmes.
Aston Martin’s curtailed running is the clearest cautionary note: limited laps and parts shortages leave significant unfinished work before Melbourne. Over the next weeks teams will prioritise completing validation cycles and converting test learnings into race-ready updates—making the first races of the season particularly informative about which test-time indications translate into real championship form.
Sources
- Formula1.com (Official F1 media report)