F1 Testing: Verstappen Worries Mercedes, Audi Unveils New Car

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing set the pace on the opening day of Formula 1’s pre-season testing in Bahrain, clocking a time of 1:35.433, 0.169 seconds faster than Oscar Piastri, according to initial reports from the track.

The first official test session, held on Wednesday, saw all 11 teams in action, including the newly established Audi squad. Audi showcased a radical new car design featuring minimal sidepods, drawing immediate attention from competitors and observers. Nico Hülkenberg, driving for Audi, completed 122 laps as the team evaluated its overhauled chassis.

While Verstappen topped the morning session, McLaren’s Lando Norris ultimately posted the fastest lap of the day with a 1:34.669, edging out Verstappen. The Red Bull team, now partnered with Ford for engine development, completed an impressive 138 laps, demonstrating the reliability of their new power unit.

Mercedes, however, appeared to be facing challenges. Team principal Toto Wolff expressed concern over Red Bull’s straight-line speed, stating that the Red Bull powertrain is able to deploy significantly more energy on straights than its rivals – approximately one second per lap over consecutive runs. Wolff acknowledged that Mercedes is currently unable to match this performance. “They are able to deploy far more energy on the straights than everybody else,” Wolff said, as quoted by Motorsport-Magazin.com.

The competitive landscape is further complicated by speculation surrounding Mercedes’ engine design. Rivals believe the team may have exploited a loophole in the regulations to increase compression ratios in their combustion engine. Wolff dismissed these claims as “just a storm in a teacup” during an interview with Sky.

The Bahrain test as well saw Esteban Ocon of Alpine cause a red flag after experiencing a mechanical issue, halting the session while marshals recovered his car. Lewis Hamilton and Franco Colapinto also experienced lock-ups at Turn 10, highlighting the challenges drivers face in adapting to the new cars and energy management requirements.

Testing is scheduled to continue in Bahrain through Friday, with a second test session planned for February 18th to 20th. The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to begin on March 8th in Australia.