Sports · 11 February 2026
Max Verstappen fastest in opening session of Bahrain testing
Nicolas Tucat | Credit: AP via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Max Verstappen led the early running for Red Bull on the first morning of Formula One’s 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The reigning four-time world champion posted a quickest lap of 1:35.433, narrowly edging McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Mercedes’ George Russell. All 11 teams took part in the session, which was briefly halted after Alpine’s Franco Colapinto stopped on circuit. Lewis Hamilton also endured a spin during the opening hours of running.
Reported by formula1.com · How we write briefs