On Track

13 Feb 2026

The Debrief: Test One, Bahrain 2026

The AMR26 has turned its first laps in the desert at Bahrain International Circuit. Three days, thousands of data points, and lots of learnings. Read on for all the reaction from Lance, Fernando, and the team at the first F1 pre-season test of 2026.

Day Three

Lance was behind the wheel of the AMR26 for the second time this test, completing running across both the morning and afternoon sessions. The team focused on aero mapping as well as low- and high-fuel runs and he completed a total of 72 laps during the day.

Across the three days in Bahrain, the AMR26 completed a total of 206 laps between Lance and Fernando, allowing the team to gather valuable data during the opening week of testing. The drivers will return to the cockpit next week (18-20 February) for the second pre-season test, before final preparations begin for Melbourne and the opening round of the 2026 season.

#18 | LANCE STROLL

72 LAPS

Fastest lap: 1:38.165

Tyre: Soft

CHIEF TRACKSIDE OFFICER, MIKE KRACK

"After completing the shakedown in Barcelona, we have now finished our first test of the new season. We ran into some issues earlier in the week, and that's exactly why we go testing – especially with new regulations.

"This whole package is very fresh, so it takes time to understand all the different elements and identify where we need to improve. A big thank you to the entire team for the hours worked across the three days of testing. We are realistic in knowing that there is a lot of performance still to unlock in this package, and it is important that we analyse all of our learnings ahead of next week."

TEAM REPRESENTATIVE, PEDRO DE LA ROSA

"It's clear after the first week of the first pre-season test here in Bahrain that we are behind schedule and not where we want to be.

"We had limited running in Barcelona and we ran into some issues on day one of the test this week in Bahrain. Fernando and Lance have logged some decent mileage over the last few days, but we are catching up and always learning about the new package.

"We have the talent and resources to improve the car, and the team and our partners are all working incredibly hard to make this happen, both at track and back at Silverstone."

Day Two

The team continued its pre-season testing programme with Fernando Alonso taking to the wheel of the AMR26 for his first outing in Bahrain. Fernando logged valuable mileage across the day, completing 55 laps in the morning session and a further 43 in the afternoon.

#14 | FERNANDO ALONSO

98 LAPS

Fastest lap: 1:38.248

Tyre: Soft

"It was good to be back in the AMR26 and get some solid mileage today," said Fernando.

"We worked through our programme and moved into longer consecutive runs, exploring different setups.

"Testing is always about learning and today was no different. It's clear there is a lot of work for us to still do and we need to improve our pace. The team will analyse everything over the coming days to make sure we are well prepared for the test next week and for the first race of the season in Melbourne."

A tennis ace swings by

Fernando was joined by another Spanish sporting great during a quieter moment in his schedule, when world number one Carlos Alcaraz swapped the court for our garage to meet his compatriot.

The pair chatted as Carlos took in his new surroundings, and they also had time to serve up a TikTok.

CHIEF TRACKSIDE OFFICER, MIKE KRACK

“We managed to complete 98 laps with Fernando in the car. Every lap counts with these new regulations and we don't have much time left until Melbourne.

"While it is only testing, we know we are missing pace; we have areas we know we need to improve and develop. Everyone in the team is working flat out to ensure we are in the best possible shape for racing.

"Lance is back in the car tomorrow and we will continue to gather data and learn as much as we can."

Day One

Though the car's first mileage came at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during Formula One's shakedown week, Wednesday was the first time the car rolled out of the garage in its stunning fresh livery, revealed at the start of the week at Ithra on Opening Night.

Lance Stroll was behind the wheel for the first day of the first three-day test in Bahrain, getting the opportunity to familiarise himself further with the new car after driving a handful of laps back in Barcelona last month.

As Managing Technical Partner and Team Principal Adrian Newey and the team looked on, Lance headed out on track in the morning and completed 36 laps across the day. Unfortunately, the Honda team detected a data anomaly with the power unit in the afternoon, which required further analysis and limited his running.

#18 | LANCE STROLL

36 LAPS

Fastest lap: 1:39.883

Tyre: Hard

"Today was my first proper experience in the AMR26 after only completing three laps in Barcelona."

"We had a busy morning on track working through the run plan and the various test items. The afternoon was more limited as the team investigated a data anomaly with the PU. There's still plenty of work to do to get the car where we want it, but we'll use these two tests to learn as much as possible and keep building."

On track