verstappen dominates bahrain test amid red bull and audi upgrades

2026-02-11 sport

Sakhir, woensdag, 11 februari 2026.
max verstappen set the fastest time in the opening test session of the 2026 f1 season in bahrain. driving the upgraded red bull rb20, he clocked 1:35.433 on medium tires after completing 65 laps. the revised car showed strong pace and reliability early on. meanwhile audi stunned rivals with radical new sidepods designed to cut drag. the move signals aggressive development ahead of the new regulations. other teams face pressure to match the technical pace. verstappen’s dominance comes as red bull aims to maintain its competitive edge. the bahrain test marks the first public reveal of major factory upgrades.

verstappen sets pace in bahrain morning session

Max Verstappen recorded the fastest time during the morning session of the first pre-season test in Bahrain on February 11, 2026. Driving the updated Red Bull RB20, he posted a lap time of 1:35.433 on medium tyres [2]. The Dutch driver completed 65 laps, demonstrating both speed and reliability [3]. His performance edged out Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who finished 0.169 seconds behind with a time of 1:35.602 [2]. The session marked the first public appearance of significant factory upgrades ahead of the 2026 season [4].

red bull’s upgraded rb20 shows promise

The revised Red Bull RB20 displayed strong performance and dependability throughout the morning test [1]. Visual analysis revealed notable changes compared to its earlier iteration seen in Barcelona, particularly around the sidepods [1]. Engineers introduced deeper upper cuts on the sidepods aimed at enhancing aerodynamic efficiency through improved airflow management [1]. Despite a minor error late in the session, Verstappen remained highly productive [5]. Team principal Christian Horner confirmed the focus was on system validation rather than outright speed, suggesting further potential exists [2].

audi shocks rivals with radical sidepod redesign

Audi unveiled dramatic modifications to their car’s sidepods during the Bahrain test, diverging sharply from their previous design seen in Barcelona [3]. The new configuration appeared intended to minimize air resistance and improve straight-line speed [3]. Technical experts noted the resemblance to zero-pod concepts previously explored by Mercedes [3]. While no timed laps placed them near the top, the innovation signaled ambitious engineering direction [3]. Competitors expressed concern over the rapid development pace, especially given Audi’s relatively recent entry into Formula 1 [6]. Further scrutiny is expected during upcoming sessions [6].

williams returns after barca absence, sainz leads lap count

Williams made their debut in pre-season testing after skipping all prior sessions in Barcelona [7]. Carlos Sainz drove the FW47 and topped the mileage chart with 77 laps completed—more than any other driver [2]. This achievement offered reassurance regarding the car’s durability following missed track time earlier [7]. Other teams faced setbacks; Alpine’s Franco Colapinto triggered the sole red flag after stopping between Turns 7 and 8 due to mechanical issues [2]. He managed only 28 laps before repairs allowed him to return later [2]. Reliability remains a key benchmark across teams [2].

competitive landscape shapes up amid technical scrutiny

Mercedes showed promising signs with George Russell third-fastest at 1:36.108 despite limited early running [2]. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton spun lightly but avoided damage, ending fourth overall [3]. Alpine struggled initially but resumed operations after fixing Colapinto’s power unit anomaly [3]. The presence of dual test days allows teams to alternate drivers and gather extensive data [4]. With the official season opener scheduled for March 6 in Australia, every kilometre driven holds strategic value [4]. Aerodynamic trends suggest a shift toward cleaner front-end designs across manufacturers [6].

Bronnen

Formule 1 Red Bull Racing