P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull F1 star Max Verstappen left Bahrain pre-season testing before the end of the first official test of 2026.
Red Bull F1 driver Max Verstappen left Bahrain pre-season testing early due to his dissatisfaction with the new regulations affecting the sport in 2026. Verstappen completed a significant number of laps during testing but expressed that the cars were unenjoyable to drive, likening them to “Formula E on steroids.” Despite some negativity towards the new rules, Verstappen’s competitor Lando Norris found his McLaren enjoyable to drive.
Verstappen’s departure from Bahrain followed a week of candid comments about the regulations, and he left on his private jet shortly after the morning testing session. His teammate, Isack Hadjar, took over driving duties for the afternoon. Teams have a tight testing schedule to adjust to the new regulations before the demanding 24-race 2026 season begins on March 6 in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix.
