Sky Sports has confirmed a major change to its usual format of its coverage of Formula 1‘s pre-season testing schedule for 2026.
After last week’s behind-closed-doors test in Barcelona, in which data and media blackouts led to unconfirmed and unofficial lap times and lap counts, the 11 teams will take its cars to the Bahrain International Circuit for two separate schedules.
The first commences on February 11, and will run until the 13th, with the second taking place a week later on February 18-20.
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-120x86.webp)
In recent years, Sky, the primary UK broadcaster for F1, which also shares its output to a number of other English-speaking countries, covers much of the day’s running over the course of the programme, but this year will be different.
The 11-13 Feb schedule has been confirmed by Sky, and will show only the final hour at 15:00 GMT, followed by a ‘Testing Wrap’ show at 20:00, followed by Ted Kravitz’s ‘Ted’s Testing Notebook’ half-an-hour later.
These changes mirror those of F1TV’s, which has also cut down its coverage of the opening week.
Details for both channels’ coverage of the second week are as of yet unconfirmed.
READ MORE – Toto Wolff reveals first impressions of ‘awesome’ 2026 F1 cars
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-350x250.webp)
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-360x180.webp)
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