P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A head-to-head between the McLaren of Oscar Piastri and the Red Bull of Max Verstappen headlined the race simulations on day two in Bahrain
On the penultimate day of 2026 pre-season testing, many Formula 1 teams focused on race simulations, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen showcasing their skills in a head-to-head battle.
While Mercedes and Ferrari faced some issues during testing, Piastri and Verstappen impressed with their consistent lap times in their race simulations.
Other drivers like Nico Hulkenberg, Lewis Hamilton, Liam Lawson, Fernando Alonso, and Valtteri Bottas also completed their respective race simulation stints with varying degrees of success and challenges.
Despite some setbacks, the teams gathered valuable data and insights as they fine-tuned their strategies and performance ahead of the upcoming F1 season.
The competitive dynamics between the drivers in these simulations hinted at an exciting season ahead, with each team striving to optimize their race setups and tactics for success on the track.
