F1 Feb 09, 2026

Bahrain pre-season testing 2026 dates, schedule, weather, UK start time, updates and how to watch or stream on Sky Sports

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Bahrain pre-season testing 2026 dates, schedule, weather, UK start time, updates and how to watch or stream on Sky Sports

Formula 1's preparations for its new era in 2026 are poised to ramp up with two pre-season tests in Bahrain starting on Wednesday as the new racing campaign draws ever nearer.

After the private week of running in Barcelona, official pre-season testing takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit with all 11 teams present for two three-day tests.

The first test takes place on February 11-13 with the second following from February 18-20.

Your Site F1 will be in Bahrain for both tests to keep you up to speed as the countdown continues to the start of the 24-race campaign in March...

The final hour of track running on each of the three days of the first test will be shown live on Your Site F1.

That means you can watch cars and drivers on track between 3-4pm.

The best of each day's action and the key interviews from the paddock will feature in a Testing Wrap show every night at 8pm.

Ted Kravitz will also be in Bahrain to bring you the final word on each day of the test in Ted's Testing Notebook at 8.30pm.

Also follow the daily live blog on skysports.com and the Your Site app from 7am for the key lap times, track updates and video clips, plus catch up with all the latest goings on from Bahrain via reports from Craig Slater on Your Site News.

Get set for full live coverage of all three days of the second week of running in Bahrain.

Watch live on Your Site F1 with the test running from 7am-4pm UK time across morning and afternoon sessions, either side of a lunch break.

Each night our Testing Wrap will again bring you the best of the action and the key interviews from the day.

Also follow the daily live blog on skysports.com and the Your Site app for the key lap times, track updates and video clips, plus catch up with all the latest goings on rom Bahrain via reports from Craig Slater on Your Site News.

A fixture on F1's racing calendar for two decades, Bahrain has also become the sport's preferred home for pre-season running since 2021.

The 15-corner 3.36-mile circuit features long straights, low-to-medium-speed corners and heavy braking zones, and is also considered a good test of tyre wear, ensuring a good workout for a car. Drivers also often have to contend with breezy wind, while the venue's floodlighting system means testing can run into the cooler evening too.

With dry and warm weather all-but guaranteed in the Middle East, F1 teams should be able to complete unrestricted running across the six days. Expect daytime temperatures in the low-mid 20s.

Got Sky?

TV: Sky Customers can watch live on the Your Site F1 channel.

App: Sky Customers can also watch on the .

Not got Sky?

Stream: Non-Sky Customers can

Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage through our

FREE Highlights:

Your Site Subscribers can:

NOW is an instant streaming service offering access to all 12 Your Site channels, every Your Site+ stream, and much more.

It's an app, so customers can sign up and stream instantly across over . It offers contract-free membership options, so customers can cancel anytime!

You can choose between a Month or Day Membership.

.

Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Your Site, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8.

Tags:

f1 news

Share this article

Related Posts

Oscar Piastri: Martin Brundle says McLaren driver will 'come back with a vengeance' after missing out on 2025 F1 title

Oscar Piastri: Martin Brundle says McLaren driver will 'come back with a vengeance' after missing out on 2025 F1 title

Martin Brundle expects Oscar Piastri to "come back with a vengeance" after narrowly missing out on a maiden Formula 1 title last year.Piastri led the...

F1 launches: All 2026 cars and liveries revealed so far and schedule ahead of new season featuring revised regulations

F1 launches: All 2026 cars and liveries revealed so far and schedule ahead of new season featuring revised regulations

Formula 1 has entered a new era of much-changed cars and engines in 2026, making 'launch season' one of the most eagerly-anticipated in years.Seven of...

Jack Doohan joins Haas as reserve driver for 2026 F1 season following release from Alpine

Jack Doohan joins Haas as reserve driver for 2026 F1 season following release from Alpine

Haas have signed Jack Doohan as a reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season.Doohan was a free agent after being released by Alpine in January, havi...

George Russell: Mercedes driver would relish Max Verstappen F1 title fight in 2026 as Red Bull engine catches eye

George Russell: Mercedes driver would relish Max Verstappen F1 title fight in 2026 as Red Bull engine catches eye

George Russell says Mercedes' 2026 car is already "ticking the boxes" for the team on track but that it is "way too early" to tell whether it will pro...

Williams FW48 car livery revealed for 2026 F1 season when team will aim to make up for Barcelona test miss

Williams FW48 car livery revealed for 2026 F1 season when team will aim to make up for Barcelona test miss

Williams have revealed a reworked livery for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Tuesday's reveal comes after the team failed to have their car ready for the f...

F1 launches: All 2026 cars and liveries revealed so far and schedule ahead of new season featuring revised regulations

F1 launches: All 2026 cars and liveries revealed so far and schedule ahead of new season featuring revised regulations

Formula 1 has entered a new era of much-changed cars and engines in 2026, making 'launch season' one of the most eagerly-anticipated in years.Seven of...