Method 1 testing obtained below approach in Bahrain on Wednesday, and it was the primary time followers might see all of the groups on observe this yr.
Groups and drivers did exit on the Barcelona ‘shakedown’ final month, nevertheless it was behind closed doorways and Williams missed it as a result of their automobile was not prepared.
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Here is how the vehicles had been wanting on day one at Bahrain…
Mercedes and George Russell had been amongst these to run with with aerodynamic rakes, that are used to analyse air circulation on the vehicles [Getty Images]
4-time world champion Max Verstappen will likely be racing alongside Isack Hadjar, who was promoted from Crimson Bull’s sister workforce for the 2026 season. Crimson Bull have gone for a gloss-finish livery, which was first seen of their debut season in 2005 [Getty Images]
Oscar Piastri drove for McLaren within the morning session, earlier than world champion Lando Norris took over within the afternoon [Getty Images]
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will likely be in search of a robust begin in what will likely be his second season with Ferrari [Getty Images]
Valtteri Bottas (pictured) and Sergio Perez have returned to the game with Cadillac, the eleventh workforce on the grid. The brand new workforce have opted for knowledgeable drivers who’ve 16 race wins and 106 podiums between them [Getty Images]
One other new workforce title on the grid is Audi, who’ve changed Sauber for 2026. They’ve stored drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto (pictured) [Reuters]
One of many new faces within the paddock is 18-year-old British rookie Arvid Lindblad, who’s making his debut for Racing Bulls [Reuters]
World champion Lando Norris is seen smiling within the paddock and has predicted that there will likely be “extra chaos in races” on account of the brand new guidelines which have been launched this yr [PA Media]
Alpine haven’t made any dramatic adjustments to their livery. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto (pictured) proceed as drivers for them [Getty Images]
The Aston Martin has actually caught probably the most consideration up and down the paddock. The automobile has been designed below the management of design legend Adrian Newey [Getty Images]
Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson is staying with the workforce for one more season, partnering Arvid Lindblad [PA Media]
Carlos Sainz within the Williams as they tried to make up for misplaced time, after lacking Barcelona [Getty Images]
Esteban Ocon (pictured) and Briton Oliver Bearman are the drivers at Haas for a second yr [Getty Images]
