WATCH: Cars hit the track during Day 1 of first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain

The first official pre-season test of 2026 got underway today, with all 11 teams fielding their cars at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Two weeks on from the Barcelona Shakedown, the grid returned to action as they continue to put their new challengers through their paces.

Max Verstappen was the very first to head out when the green light appeared on Day 1, with the Red Bull man going on to top the timesheets during the morning session before McLaren’s Lando Norris set the pace in the afternoon.

Watch the cars hit the track at the first Bahrain test in the video above.