Two weeks of testing in Bahrain have provided the first indications of what the 2026 pecking order will look like. Broadly speaking, the traditional top teams have set the standard in this early phase.<\/p>\n
Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull<\/a> all showed encouraging performance across the board. Aside from a few hiccups, the old guard have avoided the more nightmarish projections about these 2026 cars.<\/p>\n The Mercedes, Ferrari and even Red Bull’s engines have shown rock solid reliability – though ultimate horsepower and electrical efficiency are still to be determined.<\/p>\n Regardless, the usual front-runners seem to have cemented themselves as the main protagonists for 2026. Elsewhere on the grid, there are also plenty of intriguing developments unfolding.<\/p>\n In terms of headline lap-times, the SF-26 stole the show in Bahrain. The five fastest times from pre-season where all set by Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc setting multiple fastest laps on the final day of testing.<\/p>\n However, these times are not the reason why so much optimism surrounds the Scuderia.<\/p>\n Across three weeks of running in Barcelona and Sakhir, the Ferrari engine has not seen a single reliability issue. Although some kind of failure or issue is almost inevitable at some point in 2026, Fred Vasseur’s team can be very satisfied with the durability of their power unit.<\/p>\n The speed traps and telemetry data suggest the Ferrari power unit is also efficient at recharging electrical energy, whilst the aerodynamics of the SF-26 appear solid.<\/p>\n Of course, as recently outlined on LWOS<\/a>, a significant batch of upgrades are scheduled for the SF-26 in Australia. Therefore, more performance is there to be unlocked with a more aggressive package.<\/p>\n Red Bull, meanwhile, surprised the field with the competitiveness of their engine.<\/p>\n At exceptionally impressive speed, Red Bull seem to have adapted to the demands of producing their own engines. George Russell has even claimed that Red Bull has the best power unit<\/a> in the field.<\/p>\n Although these claims could easily be exaggerated, Red Bull’s engine is clearly very capable. After setting eye-catching readings at the speed traps on day 1 of testing, the RB22 was regularly at the bottom of the speed traps in the following days.<\/p>\n The prevailing belief across the paddock is that Laurent Mekies’ squad turned down their power unit.<\/p>\n Irrespective of how much Red Bull are disguising their pace, one thing is clear – they are in the mix. They are not encountering the problems that many analysts anticipated, particularly on the powertrains side.<\/p>\n Of course, the front-runners also suspect Mercedes of doing the same. Max Verstappen has suggested that the Silver Arrows will make a huge step forward when the season begins in Melbourne.<\/p>\n Overall, Mercedes kept their cards close to their chest in testing – though their long run simulations and best lap-times already indicate they will be at the front.<\/p>\n Given the scrutiny following the Mercedes power unit throughout the winter, Toto Wolff’s team<\/a> have unsurprisingly kept plenty in reserve. (cont. on next page)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Whilst the W17 did not appear dominant in Bahrain, rivals still anticipate the German team to contend in 2026.<\/p>\n Mercedes are competitive in the high-fuel runs, and have clearly held back during shorter stints.<\/p>\n With that said, there is no longer a belief that Mercedes will blow other teams out of the water. In particular, the Brackley outfit’s power unit is not expected to have the advantage that was initially forecast.<\/p>\n Reigning Champions McLaren<\/a> are also in the lead group, though the MCL40 perhaps hasn’t shown the same peak performance as some of the other teams.<\/p>\n Moreover, McLaren’s rivals are expected to introduce transformative updates in round one – having opted to run more basic specifications in pre-season tests.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the MCL40 in Australia is not anticipated to be significantly different from the one seen this week in Bahrain.<\/p>\n Still, the main conclusion regarding the top teams is that – for the time being – they all appear in reasonable shape. Only when the season officially commences can differences between these front-runners be reliably observed.<\/p>\n Further down the timing sheets, some teams will be satisfied with their performance in testing. Possibly the stand-out in the midfield has been Ayao Komatsu’s Haas F1 Team.<\/p>\n Once again, Haas<\/a> look to punch above their weight and compete for points. In a field that is seeing more teams with substantial financial firepower, the VF-26 has looked bulletproof over the past few weeks.<\/p>\n The durability of the Ferrari engine has undeniably been a help, giving the US team a strong foundation to build upon. Still, the VF-26 looks to be an aerodynamically sound machine, having shown reasonable performance and predictable behaviours in Bahrain.<\/p>\n Race simulations suggest Haas should be one of the stronger midfield teams, with Bearman and Ocon holding their own on high-fuel runs.<\/p>\n Alpine<\/a> are also one of the happier midfield outfits. The Mercedes-powered A526 has suffered a few mechanical and hydraulic hiccups in testing, but nothing to cause major alarm.<\/p>\n Whilst not showing the raw speed of the big teams, Flavio Briatore’s personnel are confident they will have a significantly better campaign than 2025.<\/p>\n The sentiment from the Enstone camp is positive, though still measured, ahead of their first season as a customer team.<\/p>\n Red Bull-powered VCARB have expressed their gratitude for the horsepower and reliability shown by their new power unit. The early promise of Red Bull’s 2026 engine has given the Faenza-based operation hope they can be in the fight for points.<\/p>\n The VCARB 03 has not shown anything exceptional, but it certainly hasn’t shown the handling difficulties or energy harvesting deficiencies that have plagued some other teams.<\/p>\n Speaking of difficulties, Williams<\/a> have compensated for the mileage lost due to their absence from the Barcelona shakedown. With that said, the FW48 still has its deficiencies.<\/p>\n Though nowhere near the worst car seen in testing, the Williams car has not impressed.<\/p>\n Excess weight will provide an automatic handicap in the opening rounds, whilst the delays in the team’s winter preparations seem to have created a very immature package – which requires upgrades and refinement.<\/p>\n Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon were happy to get some laps on the board in Bahrain, but the general sense is that the FW48 lacks the mechanical grip and stability under braking to repeat the team’s 5th place finish in 2025.<\/p>\n A team who deserve credit for their efforts in pre-season are Audi. (cont. on next page)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The telemetry does suggest that the German manufacturer’s power unit is lacking in horsepower and electrical efficiency of the Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull engines.<\/p>\n However, their discrepancy to the best engines is reasonable enough given their relative inexperience. The Audi power unit is also proving to be relatively reliable, even if there have been a few stoppages.<\/p>\n There Audi engine has become more dependable throughout the three weeks of running in Barcelona and Bahrain – and is certainly in a better place than Aston Martin’s Honda power.<\/p>\n Unlike the teams mentioned above, who could all be reasonably categorised as likely midfield outfits, Cadillac<\/a> and Aston Martin are almost unanimously seen as backmarkers.<\/p>\n In many ways, this is not a criticism towards Cadillac. Given that the US team are entering their first F1 campaign, the team under Graeme Lowdon’s leadership look reasonable.<\/p>\n From a reliability standpoint, they have encountered their fair share of technical and mechanical failures – with only Aston Martin completing fewer laps.<\/p>\n Still, Cadillac are unlikely to be a laughing stock come Australia. They are undoubtedly lacking pace, but they are still adapting well to the demands of F1 – considering their inexperience.<\/p>\nFerrari set fastest time, Red Bull exceed expectations<\/h2>\n
Mercedes, McLaren firmly in the mix<\/h4>\n
The best of the midfield<\/h4>\n
Lower midfield teams<\/h4>\n
Likely backmarkers<\/h4>\n