The first official pre-season testing of the 2021 Formula One World Championship has just concluded in Bahrain, and it was full of excitement and surprises. Mercedes, the reigning champions, showed strong performance and topped the timesheets, while Williams’ George Russell impressed with his pace. On the other hand, teams like Red Bull, Haas, and Cadillac struggled, and the new 2026 rules added an extra layer of complexity to the starts. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of the testing and what we can expect from the upcoming season.
Mercedes, led by their seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, dominated the three-day testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. The team showcased their reliability and consistency, completing a total of 304 laps and setting the fastest time of 1:28.960. Hamilton, who was driving on the final day of testing, was satisfied with the team’s performance and said, “It’s been a good three days for us, and we’ve been able to get through our program without any major issues. The car feels good, and we have a solid base to work from.”
But it was not just Hamilton who impressed in the silver arrows. His new teammate, Valtteri Bottas, also showed strong pace and finished second on the timesheets with a time of 1:29.586. The two drivers seem to have a good working relationship, and Bottas is determined to challenge Hamilton for the title this year. “I’m feeling good in the car, and we’ve made some good progress over the three days. I think we have a strong package, but we know our competitors will also bring upgrades, so we have to keep pushing,” said Bottas.
While Mercedes showed their dominance, it was the young British driver George Russell who stole the spotlight. Russell, who had a one-off appearance for Mercedes last year, was driving for Williams this time and set the third-fastest time of 1:29.926. The 23-year-old impressed everyone with his pace and consistency, and it seems like he is ready to make a big impact this season. Russell said, “It’s been a positive three days for us, and we’ve made some good progress with the car. I’m feeling confident, and I’m looking forward to the first race.”
Ferrari and McLaren also had a strong showing in Bahrain, with both teams setting competitive lap times. Ferrari’s new driver Carlos Sainz set the fourth-fastest time, while McLaren’s Lando Norris finished fifth. Both teams completed over 300 laps and showcased their improved performance compared to last season. Ferrari’s new team principal, Mattia Binotto, said, “We are happy with the progress we’ve made, but we know there is still a lot of work to do. We are looking forward to the first race and will continue to push hard.”
However, not all teams had a smooth testing session. Red Bull, who are expected to be Mercedes’ main challenger this season, struggled with reliability issues and were unable to complete as many laps as they would have liked. Their new driver, Sergio Perez, could only manage the ninth-fastest time, and it seems like the team has some work to do before the first race. Haas and Cadillac also faced similar issues, with both teams struggling to complete consistent runs and set competitive lap times.
Apart from the on-track action, the new 2026 rules also added an extra layer of complexity to the starts. The new regulations state that the cars must be driven out of the garage under their own power, without any assistance from the team. This means that the drivers will have to manage their starts on their own, without any practice or guidance from their engineers. This added challenge will surely make the starts more exciting and unpredictable for the fans.
As we head into the first race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, it seems like we are in for an exciting and competitive season. Mercedes has shown their dominance, but their rivals are not far behind, and we can expect some fierce battles on the track. The young drivers, like Russell and Sainz, are also eager to make their mark and challenge the established names. The new 2026 rules will also add an extra element of unpredictability, making the races more exciting for the fans.
In conclusion, the pre-season testing in Bahrain has set the stage for an action-packed and thrilling Formula One season. Mercedes has