Leclerc delivers eye-catching lap times to end the final test day on top

The final day of the 2026 Formula 1 pre‑season test in Bahrain saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc deliver the quickest lap time of the six-day Bahrain pre-season testing. F1Technical’s senior writer Balazs Szabo reports on Day 3 on the second pre-season testing at Manama.

The Monegasque driver topped both the morning and afternoon sessions, ultimately setting the fastest lap of the entire test with a 1:31.992 — a statement time that put him nearly nine‑tenths clear of his closest challenger.

Leclerc spent the full day in the SF‑26, steadily lowering his own benchmark as track temperatures cooled and grip improved. His final run — aggressive, committed, and visibly on the limit — cemented Ferrari’s position at the top of the classification.

While testing times are notoriously deceptive, the combination of pace, consistency, and mileage (132 laps) will give Ferrari confidence heading into the season‑opening Australian Grand Prix.

Lando Norris had a slow start to the afternoon as McLaren worked on the MCL40 following Oscar Piastri’s morning stint. But once Norris emerged, he quickly climbed the order, ultimately finishing second, 0.879s behind Leclerc.

McLaren’s long‑run pace looked tidy, and despite limited laps (47), the team leaves Bahrain appearing competitive.

Max Verstappen slotted into third, 1.117s off Leclerc’s time. Red Bull focused heavily on race simulations throughout the day, and while they didn’t chase headline times, the RB22 looked stable and predictable — hallmarks of the reigning champions’ approach to testing. Isack Hadjar also logged valuable mileage, finishing P13.

Mercedes endured a disrupted morning when rookie Kimi Antonelli stopped on track with a pneumatic issue. George Russell took over in the afternoon and delivered a productive session, finishing fourth with 82 laps.

Antonelli’s earlier pace still placed him eighth overall, suggesting the W15E has underlying speed once reliability stabilizes.

Pierre Gasly continued Alpine’s quietly encouraging test, finishing fifth with 118 laps. The team’s long‑run consistency stood out across all three days.

Haas also enjoyed a strong showing: Oliver Bearman placed sixth while Esteban Ocon finished P12. Both drivers completed more than 80 laps, giving the team a solid data foundation.

Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto delivered one of the standout performances of the day, placing seventh for Audi. His teammate Nico Hülkenberg finished P15, but the team’s reliability and mileage suggest a stable platform for development.

Arvid Lindblad, driving for Racing Bulls, completed a remarkable 165 laps, the highest of the day. His P9 time underscored both his potential and the team’s reliability — an impressive achievement for the young Briton.

Aston Martin endured a difficult end to testing. After Honda confirmed a battery‑related issue that curtailed Fernando Alonso’s Thursday running, the team opted for a very limited programme on Friday.

Lance Stroll completed just six untimed laps, while Alonso did not run at all. The team leaves Bahrain with more questions than answers.