F1 2026 Pre-Season Testing: Lando Norris Tops Day One In Bahrain As Max Verstappen Close Behind

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Lando Norris topped the opening day of preseason testing in Bahrain, beating Max Verstappen by 0.129 seconds in an early hint of another tight title fight. Norris called it a positive outing in tricky, windy conditions, while Verstappen said Red Bull were focused on engine and tyre data rather than lap times. Charles Leclerc was third for Ferrari, Esteban Ocon impressed in fourth for Haas, and Oscar Piastri fifth. With more testing ahead before the Australian Grand Prix, the true pecking order remains unclear.

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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Lando Norris
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Max Verstappen
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Charles Leclerc
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car on the second day of Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Oscar Piastri
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Max Verstappen
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Charles Leclerc
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Pierre Gasly
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly of France steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Arvind Lindbald
Racing Bulls driver Arvind Lindbald of Britain steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-Oliver Bearman
Haas driver Oliver Bearman of Britain steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri
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Bahrain F1 Auto Racing Formula One pre-season test-George Russell
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. | Photo: AP/Altaf Qadri

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