Max Verstappen went fastest in the morning session on Day 1 of the first official Formula 1 pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The Dutchman was opted to have first dibs on the RB22, and duly set the fastest time, a 1:35.433s, a tenth-and-a-half faster than Oscar Piastri in the McLaren MCL40.
Georger Russell was third fastest, with Lewis Hamilton fourth – exactly one second behind.
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:35.433 | |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:35.602 | 0.169 |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:36.107 | 0.675 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:36.433 | 1.000 |
| 5 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:37.169 | 1.736 |
| 6 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 1:37.945 | 2.512 |
| 7 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:38.221 | 2.788 |
| 8 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 1:38.871 | 3.438 |
| 9 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | 1:39.150 | 3.717 |
| 10 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:40.330 | 4.897 |
READ MORE – F1 2026 Bahrain pre-season testing – Day 1 live
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