Charles Leclerc tops opening hours of Day 1 testing

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is currently the fastest driver out on track after two hours of testing as the sport returns to Bahrain. 

Feature image credit: CC

This week marks the final week of testing as Formula 1 returns to Bahrain International Circuit, just before they head to Melbourne for the opening round of the 2026 championship.

So far, Leclerc is the fastest driver out on track with a quick time of 1m 33.739 seconds after two hours of testing in the morning. The Monegasque heads McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by half a second as the session continues. 

It has been a pretty straightforward test for most of the crews as the mileage racked up. However, there have been moments of problems for one driver, Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls. 

The rookie driver found himself with apparent power issues in the first hour, between turns three and four, but was able to quickly rectify them and continue without further issues. 

F1 confirms circuit extension with calendar rotation

Additionally, it took Cadillac nearly 90 minutes to get out on track with Sergio Perez. But when the Mexican driver finally came out onto the circuit, he was quickly pitted. 

However, they haven’t managed to get out for much running, with only two laps completed so far, and he has yet to set a lap time on the board. 

Racing Bulls are the team to beat in terms of mileage, as Lindblad is the driver with the most laps completed, at the moment (40). Haas’ Esteban Ocon is his closest rival in terms of lap count, at 37, ahead of Antonelli, 35.

The timing board:

1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 1m 33.739s
2. Lando Norris, McLaren +0.313s
3. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes +0.419s
4. Alexander Albon, Williams +1.951s
5. Pierre Gasly, Alpine +2.159s
6. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull +2.449s
7. Esteban Ocon, Haas +2.679s
8. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +2.797s 
9. Nico Hulkenberg, Audi +3.002s
10. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls +3.030s
11. Sergio Perez, Cadillac No Time

Read more Formula 1 here:

• F1 confirms circuit extension with calendar rotation
• Russell sets the pace after first hour of testing day 3
• Leclerc fastest after day 2 of Bahrain pre-season test
• Norris fastest after day 1 of Bahrain pre-season testing
• Max Verstappen tops morning on day 1 of Bahrain pre-season test
• Who is driving on day 1 of pre-season testing in Bahrain?

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.