Bahrain International Circuit Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa has delivered his early verdict on Formula 1 2026 as the first official pre-season test gets underway.
Sheikh Khalifa has overseen the management of the Bahrain International Circuit since the inaugural race in 2004, including its transition to a night race in 2014.
Present at an event to mark the launch of pre-season testing and the countdown to the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, this is another race he eagerly anticipates.
The Bahrain test is a staple of the F1 calendar, 2026 marking the fourth consecutive year the circuit has hosted the first pre-season test.
Sheikh Khalifa believes that the raft of the new regulations will keep the teams busy, with questions over who will adapt the best to the regulations.
“It’s so much new stuff,” he said to exclusively to Motorsport Week.
“And I think it’s going to take time for people to wrap their heads around how much the driver actually has inputs in harvesting, when can he pass.
“With DRS it was pretty clear. I mean, it was a line that DRS dropped and here they have that option, if they harvest enough, anywhere on track.So it’s very interesting.
“So I’m looking forward to seeing which driver adapts. Will the younger ones be quicker at these things? Will the older ones say, “I can’t deal with this? It’s an interesting thing.
“So I’m looking forward to the test and seeing, but I think everything will be clear in November. We won’t see much here.
A racing pedigree for Bahrain?
Sheikh Khalifa has fond memories of all 12 races staged in Bahrain, but still believes the 2014 event remains the highlight of F1’s time the kingdom.
The race featured an epic showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, the wheel to wheel battle taking place across most of the race.
“That one,” he said of the race, “for two reasons.
“Not just the passing of Nico and all that, but the grandstand cheering in Turn 1. When I heard the crowd cheer, I was like, yes, it’s working now. And the sparks and everything. Definitely that race was, 2014 was one of my favourites.”
Like the paddock, he is still unsure of who will come out on top in testing, but gave a clue as to when the drivers might start to push.
“No idea. I followed a bit of the Barcelona test, that was a shakedown,” he said.
“I think Test 2, tomorrow and the day after, will also be a bit of a shakedown. Test 3, before they go to Melbourne, there might be a push from teams to see the timing.Because they’re five seconds slower than last time. They’re definitely not well pushed.”
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