The second week of F1 testing at the Bahrain International Circuit has commenced with George Russell and Mercedes back on top after the FIA proposed a new engine test.

The British star topped the timesheets on Wednesday in Bahrain with a 1:33.459, but bigger news took place off the racetrack and could have severe implications on Mercedes‘ season after the controversy surrounding the geometric compression ratio trick in their power unit.

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Following an F1 Commission meeting which also took place on Wednesday, the FIA announced that a proposal has been put forward to measure compression ratios at both high temperatures and ambient temperatures, with power unit manufacturers due to vote on whether to introduce that rule or not.

There was also drama on track on the first day of the second week testing stint when Aston Martin star Lance Stroll caused a red flag in the afternoon, veering off into the gravel at Turn 11 and provoking concern that a previous hand injury could resurface.

Lewis Hamilton‘s afternoon running was also thrown into jeopardy when the screens were spotted up in front of the Ferrari garage, with the team working on his car.

The Brit managed to get back out on track 90 minutes later after the delay, accompanied by a hefty splatter of flow-vis paint on his SF-26. By the end of the day, Hamilton managed to complete 44 laps and set the seventh best time of a 1:34.299.

Isack Hadjar was plagued by technical issues in the RB22 throughout the morning session, experiencing a water system issue that kept the Frenchman off the track for a considerable amount of time.

The Red Bull star only completed 13 laps in the first half of the day, as concerns over reliability mount especially after a hydraulics leak last week hampered Hadjar’s running too.

However, Max Verstappen‘s new team-mate managed to pick up an additional 53 laps in the afternoon after a difficult start to his week in Bahrain.

Verstappen himself was not part of Wednesday’s running plan for Red Bull, and instead will enjoy a full day in the RB22 on Thursday while Hadjar will sit out the day.

F1 Testing Results – Bahrain Week Two – Day One

F1 Pre-season testing results: Day two


Position
Driver
Team
Time
Laps completed



1George RussellMercedes1:33.45976 laps
2Oscar PiastriMcLaren1:33.46970 laps
3Charles LeclercFerrari1:33.73970 laps
4Lando NorrisMcLaren1:34.05254 laps
5Kimi AntonelliMercedes1:34.15869 laps
6Isack HadjarRed Bull1:34.26066 laps
7Lewis HamiltonFerrari1:34.29944 laps
8Carlos SainzWilliams1:35.11355 laps
9Franco ColapintoAlpine1:35.25460 laps
10Gabriel BortoletoAudi1:35.51171 laps
11Alex AlbonWilliams1:35.69055 laps
12Liam LawsonRacing Bulls1:35.75361 laps
13Ollie BearmanHaas1:35.77842 laps
14Pierre GaslyAlpine1:35.89861 laps
15Lance StrollAston Martin1:35.97426 laps
16Esteban OconHaas1:36.41865 laps
17Fernando AlonsoAston Martin1:36.53628 laps
18Nico HulkenbergAudi1:36.74149 laps
19Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls1:36.76975 laps
20Valtteri BottasCadillac1:37.24635 laps
21Sergio PerezCadillac1:38.19124 laps

Who’s driving for the F1 teams in Bahrain?

Bahrain F1 Testing Lineup


Team
Wed AM
Wed PM
Thu AM
Thu PM
Fri AM
Fri PM



McLaren
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri
Lando Norris





Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli
George Russell
George Russell
Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli
George Russell

Red Bull
Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen
Isack Hadjar
Max Verstappen

Ferrari
Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC





Williams
Alex Albon
Carlos Sainz
Alex Albon
Alex Albon
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz

Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad
Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson
Arvid Lindblad
Arvid Lindblad

Aston Martin
Lance Stroll
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso
Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll

Haas
Esteban Ocon
Oliver Bearman
Oliver Bearman
Esteban Ocon
Esteban Ocon
Oliver Bearman

Audi
Nico Hulkenberg
Gabriel Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto
Nico Hulkenberg
Nico Hulkenberg
Gabriel Bortoleto

Alpine
Franco Colapinto
Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly
Franco Colapinto
Franco Colapinto

Cadillac
Sergio Perez
Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas
Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez
Valtteri Bottas

When does the 2026 F1 season start?

After the first round of pre-season tests in Bahrain took place between February 11 and 13, the second round continues this week between February 18 and February 20.

All 11 teams will then be back in action when the 2026 season starts in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix. The first race of the year takes place on March 8 at 3pm local time (AEDT), 4am GMT, and 11pm ET.

F1 Testing 2026: Bahrain schedule, start times and how to watch it all LIVE

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