Overview
- Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap on the second day in Sakhir and logged heavy mileage, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull showing continued pace and reliability.
- Mercedes suffered a serious power‑unit fault on Kimi Antonelli’s car after only a few laps, forcing a replacement and curtailing running as George Russell later switched to a new unit.
- Ferrari, Audi and Honda lodged protests over engine compression checks, with reports indicating the FIA plans hot‑condition measurements; Mercedes has pushed back on the change.
- Max Verstappen blasted the 2026 driving dynamics as “Formula E under steroids,” while Lewis Hamilton warned of very low grip and Norris countered that drivers should adapt or step aside.
- The first Bahrain test runs through Feb. 13 before a second three‑day session on Feb. 18–20, with teams still learning 2026’s active aero and energy‑management modes and lap times offering limited competitive clarity.