The Debrief: Test Two, Bahrain 2026

It's been a challenging start to a new era of Formula One for the team, but the work to develop and understand every aspect of the AMR26 will not relent. Read on for reaction from the team trackside, including Lance Stroll and Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack, as they sign off in Sakhir with 2026 pre-season testing coming to a close.

Day Three

A challenging final day of testing for the team resulted in six laps recorded with Lance at the wheel.

He did not get on track until late in the morning session due to a battery-related issue that had impacted Fernando's running yesterday.

Honda carried out simulations on the test bench at HRC Sakura before the car returned to the track and, due to a shortage of power unit parts, collectively the decision was taken to adapt day three's run plan to be very limited and consist only of short stints.

#18 | LANCE STROLL

"It's been a challenging couple of weeks here in Bahrain, and today's limited running wasn't the way we wanted to finish the second test. It's clear the car isn't where we want it to be performance-wise, and we know there's a lot of work ahead in the coming weeks and months. There's a long season ahead, and we'll keep pushing flat out to unlock more performance.

"I want to say a big thank you to everyone trackside and back at the AMR Technology Campus for the work that's gone in so far. It's not where we want to be right now, but I know how determined this team is. We'll stick together, rise to the challenge and keep working until we get the car where it needs to be."

CHIEF TRACKSIDE OFFICER, MIKE KRACK

"We have concluded our test programme in Bahrain, and the main challenge has been dealing with some reliability issues that have limited our time on track. This leaves us on the back foot going into the start of the season, because we haven't been able to complete all of the usual tasks typical of winter testing.

"You need reliability and you need the wheels to turn. We haven't yet managed to keep the wheels turning as much as we want. You learn every lap, and every lap you don't do, you have to play catch up, so it's not a fantastic start.

"We understand that we are not at the level that others might be, but everything is new. We have a new power unit, gearbox, and suspension. We have to focus, look at our problems, and solve them separately.

"We need to be realistic about it, and then we need to catch up. There's no other way because our competitors are not waiting for us, so we need to do our best to not lose touch.

"We recognise there is a huge amount of work ahead, and everyone involved in this project knows where we need to focus to improve our situation. I want to say a big thank you to all my colleagues across the team who have been working day and night over the last two weeks."

Honda Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, Shintaro Orihara

"Our main target during this week's test was to build up mileage on the power unit, check engine reliability and gather data. We collected data successfully; however, we didn't achieve the accumulated mileage that we were targeting.

"On Thursday, we identified an issue in the power unit, and all of us have been uniting efforts to find a solution during our last day of testing. Overnight and today, HRC Sakura, the AMR Technology Campus in Silverstone and our crews in Bahrain worked together on a limited run plan, which was jointly agreed considering a shortage of parts.

"It has been an enduring week, but we extend our thanks to the team for their support trackside and everyone working in Japan and the UK remotely. Overall, we are not happy with our performance and our reliability at the moment. However, we are all looking for solutions together in Sakura, Milton Keynes and Silverstone."

The focus now shifts to studying the data accrued from the two tests and putting into practice what we've learned to develop the AMR26. The team will then fly to Melbourne for the curtain raiser of the 2026 F1 season (6-8 March).

Thank you to our fans for your support at the start of this year.

Day Two

The AMR26 completed 68 laps at Bahrain International Circuit, with Fernando on driving duties for the duration of the day.

Unfortunately, his afternoon session ended early after Honda identified a power unit-related issue and, as a precaution, the team stopped the car. It was returned safely to the garage for further checks and maintenance.

It marked the conclusion of Fernando's pre-season running, with the two-time World Champion set to the return to the wheel at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

#14 | FERNANDO ALONSO

68 LAPS

Fastest lap: 1:37.472

Tyre: C3

"It was not the easiest day with a few disruptions. It was important to get some mileage in, but it wasn't enough, and we couldn't complete our run plan due to a PU-related issue that caused an early finish to the afternoon session.

"There are many things we need to fix, but I know everyone at the track and at the AMR Technology Campus is working at 100 per cent capacity to find solutions."

Day One

Less than a week after the opening pre-season test, both our drivers were back in the cockpit on the first day of the second pre-season test in Bahrain, with Fernando behind the wheel in the morning and Lance taking the afternoon stint.

Fernando completed 28 laps, working through gearbox learning runs. A power unit-related issue brought his session to an early finish.

The car returned to the track in the afternoon with Lance behind the wheel. He focused on power unit understanding and completed 26 laps.