Sakhir, Bahrain – Lando Norris of McLaren set the pace during the second morning of Formula 1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday, clocking a fastest lap of 1m 33.453s. The British driver edged out reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing by a mere 0.131 seconds, although George Russell rounded out the top three for Mercedes, finishing 0.658 seconds behind Norris. The session as well saw Ferrari debut a striking new rear wing design, showcasing the team’s innovative approach to the sport’s evolving aerodynamic regulations.
The morning session was characterized by productive running for several teams, with drivers focusing on both outright pace and longer-distance simulations. Norris’s benchmark time, achieved on the C4 compound tire, was just six thousandths of a second faster than the previous best set by Russell on Wednesday afternoon. Verstappen, meanwhile, posted his time on the C3 tire, demonstrating competitive performance across different tire compounds. Russell completed an impressive 77 laps, the most of any driver during the morning session, indicating strong reliability for the Mercedes W15. Formula 1’s official website reports that several teams opted to switch drivers for the afternoon session, while others continued with their initial pairings.
Ferrari’s Innovative Rear Wing
One of the most talked-about developments of the morning was Ferrari’s introduction of a radically different rear wing. The design featured a flap that could rotate almost 180 degrees, effectively altering the aerodynamic profile of the car. This innovative approach, permitted under Formula 1’s new active aero rules, aims to reduce drag on straights and enhance stability during braking. As Motorsport.com details, the wing rotated to a near-inverted position on the straights before returning to its standard configuration under braking, mimicking the aerodynamic principles found in fighter jet wings.
Hamilton’s Early Troubles
Yet, Ferrari’s morning wasn’t without its challenges. Lewis Hamilton experienced a technical issue that limited him to just five laps of running. The problem, reportedly not related to the power unit but requiring the dismantling of the car’s rear end, forced the seven-time world champion into the garage for an extended period. Hamilton was able to return to the track briefly in the final minutes of the session to participate in FIA race control systems checks and practice starts, suggesting the team had addressed the issue. This setback highlights the ongoing complexities of preparing new cars for the demanding Formula 1 season.
Midfield Performance and Reliability
Behind the leading trio, Alex Albon of Williams secured fourth place with a time of 1:35.130, completing 71 laps. Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi and Oliver Bearman of Haas followed closely behind, demonstrating promising pace for the new teams on the grid. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson also posted competitive lap times, while Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Valtteri Bottas of Cadillac completed fewer laps, focusing on different aspects of their car’s development. The session underscored the importance of reliability as teams prepare for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
Full Results from the Morning Session
| Pos | Pilota | Team | Tempo | Distacco | Gomme | Giri |
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:33.453 | – | C4 | 72 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:33.584 | +0.131 | C3 | 56 |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:34.111 | +0.658 | C3 | 77 |
| 4 | Alex Albon | Williams | 1:35.130 | +1.677 | C4 | 71 |
| 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 1:35.263 | +1.810 | P | 29 |
| 6 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:35.279 | +1.826 | P | 69 |
| 7 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:35.506 | +2.053 | C3 | 54 |
| 8 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:36.959 | +3.506 | C3 | 27 |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:37.472 | +4.019 | C3 | 40 |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:39.670 | +6.217 | C3 | 5 |
| 11 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | 1:40.193 | +6.740 | C2 | 58 |
The afternoon session is scheduled to begin at 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT), with several teams planning to switch drivers and continue their program of long runs and performance evaluations. The focus will likely shift towards simulating race conditions and gathering data to refine car setups ahead of the season opener. As ESPN reports, the final day of testing promises to be crucial for teams as they finalize their preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The Bahrain International Circuit will resume testing later today, with teams continuing to push the boundaries of performance and reliability. The data collected during these sessions will be instrumental in shaping the competitive landscape of the upcoming season. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching the developments as the teams fine-tune their machines for the challenges ahead.
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