Norris Tops the Chart: Verstappen and Leclerc Chase on Thrilling First Day in Bahrain

Lando Norris made a splash as pre-season testing kicked off at the Bahrain International Circuit. He topped the timesheets, finishing the day with a time of 1m 34.669s. Norris took over from teammate Oscar Piastri in the afternoon, pushing hard as the sun set over the desert.

Max Verstappen, who led the morning session, finished just 0.129 seconds behind Norris in his Red Bull. However, reading into lap times during testing can be tricky, as teams often test different setups. The drivers are also adjusting to new cars for the 2026 season, featuring updated aerodynamics and more powerful engines.

Charles Leclerc from Ferrari secured third place, about half a second off Norris’s pace. Esteban Ocon from Haas, Piastri, George Russell from Mercedes, and seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top ranks.

Nico Hulkenberg had a moment when his Audi stopped on track, causing a brief red flag. Luckily, he made it back to the pits and got back on track shortly after. Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon finished the day in the top ten, giving Williams some much-needed data since they missed the Barcelona shakedown due to delays.

Interestingly, this pre-season testing serves not just as practice, but as an indicator of team readiness and performance. As the season progresses, the importance of early testing becomes clearer. Drivers often share insights on social media, capturing the excitement and pressure of pre-season.

For example, recent posts from fans and analysts indicate a growing enthusiasm for Norris and Verstappen’s rivalry, suggesting it could be a defining narrative for the upcoming season.

With Verstappen logging over 130 laps—one of the few drivers to get such mileage—he’s set a strong foundation for his team. As testing continues, teams will analyze this data carefully to prep for more on-track action. Tomorrow’s sessions will include new drivers like Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso, adding to the mix.

For more details on the evolving racing landscape, check out this report from Formula 1.

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