Russell Fastest for Merc but Ferrari Tease Pace

Russell fastest for Merc but Ferrari tease pace

George Russell ensured Mercedes remained at the top of the timesheets as the final week of preseason testing got underway in Bahrain on Wednesday.

F1 Bahrain Testing: George Russell Fastest On First Day Of Final Test As Lewis Hamilton Suffers First Ferrari Pre-season Issue

Russell’s time of 1:33.459s at the Bahrain International Circuit bettered the fastest lap – set by his team-mate Kimi Antonelli – at last week’s three-day test at the same venue, which has held two official testing events after F1’s all-new cars for 2026 debuted together in Barcelona last month. The Brit edged out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.010s after they both drove in the faster evening conditions, with the reigning constructors’ champi…

Bahrain F1 test: Russell puts Mercedes on top on Day 4

George Russell stamped his authority on Wednesday’s action in Bahrain, powering Mercedes to the top of the timesheets.

What happened on first day of final 2026 Bahrain F1 test

George Russell ended day one of the final Formula 1 2026 pre-season test on top with a new fastest time of the Bahrain testing fortnight.The Mercedes driver, who was one of 10 drivers in for the day's second session only, set his 1m33.459s with just over 30 minutes left on the clock to beat Oscar Piastri's previous best by 0.010 seconds.Russell's effort was his second attempt at a push lap on a short stint on the C3 tyre. He had set the fastest …

F1 Testing: Russell edges out Piastri as Stroll incident sparks Bahrain red flag

Mercedes driver George Russell set the pace on the first day of the final F1 2026 pre-season test session in Bahrain.