P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The opening day of F1’s Bahrain test has already given us the deeper insight we’ve been waiting for – so here’s everything we learned from the first proper day of watching 2026 F1 cars
The opening day of F1’s Bahrain test provided a deeper insight into the 2026 F1 cars, including Mercedes’ claim about Red Bull’s performance.
Mercedes suggested that Red Bull was gaining significant time on straights due to strong energy deployment, raising questions about a potential advantage.
However, skepticism remains in the paddock about the accuracy of these claims amid ongoing controversies in F1.
McLaren’s Lando Norris topped the timesheets, but Verstappen’s consistency and speed were unmatched over longer runs.
Verstappen’s unique downshifting technique, aimed at maximizing energy recovery, also caught attention during trackside observations.
Overall, it was a revealing day with strong performances from Red Bull and mixed results for Mercedes, setting the stage for an intriguing 2026 F1 season.
