Key questions ahead of F1’s final pre-season test in 2026

The second and remaining 2026 F1 pre-season check shall be held in Bahrain this week, however many questions stay unanswered.

After the opening three days of racing on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit, a number of essential subjects have emerged, from the pecking order to the enjoyment of latest automobiles, or in some instances the shortage thereof, to security issues.

F1 groups solely have three extra days of pre-season testing to iron out points with their automobiles, and should proceed to take care of the largest regulation adjustments in historical past earlier than stepping into motion on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8.

Listed below are a few of the greatest questions on everybody’s lips in motors as F1’s pre-season testing attracts to an in depth…

Who is absolutely quick?

When making an attempt to decipher the 2026 F1 aggressive standings, it is actually anybody’s guess at this early stage.

This example is extra complicated than regular, as groups are enjoying a pass-the-parcel sport by way of who they suppose is in entrance.

The highest lap occasions from the primary three days at Sakhir would lead many to imagine that 2026 pre-season favorites Mercedes are the crew to beat.

Nevertheless, F1 pre-season check lap occasions are notoriously deceptive and ought to be taken with a grain of salt.

Mercedes highlighted that Crimson Bull and its first in-house energy unit are the “benchmark” for the brand new marketing campaign.

Crimson Bull disputes this declare. It’s anticipated to be in fourth place behind Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren. In the meantime, Ferrari believes Crimson Bull and Mercedes are within the lead.

Surprisingly, nobody has positioned final yr’s world champion McLaren on the prime. McLaren believes it’s behind Ferrari and Mercedes, and probably even fourth quickest behind Crimson Bull.

With psychological warfare in full swing, it’s turning into more and more troublesome to precisely depict every crew’s place from a pure efficiency standpoint.

Race operating might be the perfect parameter to make use of, nevertheless it nonetheless has misleading traps.

There are a number of variables to think about, similar to the truth that it will likely be accomplished at totally different occasions of the day and in several circumstances, and components similar to gasoline degree and engine mode are unknown.

For what it is value, Ferrari emerged because the quickest crew within the race simulation in the course of the first check. Can the Scuderia proceed to take care of their spectacular early reliability at tempo?

A second check could present a clearer image, however the story may change considerably as groups warmth up for Melbourne, a a lot totally different observe to Bahrain. Some folks herald upgraded automobiles.

How critical is Aston Martin’s predicament?

Preseason testing typically makes it simpler to find out which groups are having issues.

Aston Martin has had a poor begin to the yr. Already months behind its rivals by way of automobile improvement, the crew has admitted it is going to begin 2026 at an obstacle.

The state of affairs worsened after testing started. Aston Martin accomplished the fewest laps of every other F1 crew by the shakedown in Barcelona and the opening week in Bahrain. This was regardless of Williams lacking the whole Barcelona check attributable to car manufacturing delays.

Aston Martin has been upfront and clear about its struggles, admitting the crew is “clearly behind” the leaders, however Lance Stroll grimly instructed the AMR26 was not less than 4 seconds off the tempo.

Because it stands, Aston Martin seems to be behind the grid alongside F1 newcomers Cadillac. Given all of the hype and a spotlight surrounding Aston Martin, with design legend Adrian Newey main the crew and Honda as its works engine companion, it is clear how disappointing that is.

The Silverstone-based crew can have probably the most work to do within the second Bahrain check, however the likes of Alpine and Cadillac will even be hoping to beat reliability points that value them observe time.

Can F1 resolve the political battleground?

F1 has discovered itself in the midst of a political battle over engines.

The facility unit controversy focuses on compression ratio limits and allegations that Mercedes has discovered a method to obtain the next restrict than that imposed by the 2026 laws.

Rivals suspect Mercedes may achieve a big efficiency benefit because of a supposed engine trick that has been the topic of intense dialogue in a number of rounds of talks between the FIA ​​and F1’s 5 energy unit producers – Mercedes, Ferrari, Crimson Bull Powertrains, Honda and Audi.

F1’s political local weather already threatens to negate Mercedes’ benefit, with rule adjustments prone to come into impact forward of the season opener in Australia. The controversy led to accusations that Mercedes was enjoying a sport of smoke and mirrors to cover a possible benefit by sandbagging.

There may be additionally a political energy play in relation to security issues associated to beginning procedures.

The beginning was a scorching subject on the first Bahrain check as drivers and groups highlighted issues that F1’s new advanced engines may pose a security danger at lights out.

Because of the discontinuation of MGU-H, the brand new engine doesn’t have electrical help for pre-revving the turbo. This causes drivers to rev the engine a lot greater and for an extended time frame after the clutch is engaged to beat turbo lag.

There are issues that elevated spooling may trigger confusion at race begins, creating probably harmful eventualities.

McLaren has been notably vocal about altering the principles for security causes, however earlier makes an attempt have been blocked by Ferrari.

Ferrari has developed its energy unit to counter preliminary security issues and is the one crew that seems to be unaffected by the problem. These issues went unheeded and Ferrari has taken workarounds, however shouldn’t be in favor of serving to its rivals.

Each of those subjects are prone to resonate all through the ultimate week of testing and past.