GALLERY: Cars hit the track for Day 1 of the first 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain

Following the Barcelona Shakedown, Formula 1's teams and drivers are back in action as the first official pre-season test gets underway in Bahrain.

Wednesday marked the first of three days of running before a second three-day test follows next week (February 18-20), and drivers wasted no time getting out on track at the Bahrain International Circuit. First out as the light went green was Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who will be running for both the morning and afternoon sessions on day one, while Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad followed shortly after. You can see a full line up of who is driving on the first day here.

The cars are now gathering more valuable data and running ahead of the new F1 season, which brings with it sweeping new regulations, so every lesson to learn is a crucial one as teams try to master the change in rules.

You can scroll through the gallery at the top of the page to see pictures of the cars on track throughout the day in Bahrain.