Lando Norris topped the timesheet on the first day of Formula 1 testing in Bahrain, but it was Max Verstappen's Red Bull that truly impressed the paddock. The reigning world champion posted the fastest time for much of the day before finishing second, with Red Bull's performance drawing praise from rivals including Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

Red Bull, manufacturing their own engine for the first time since 2005, demonstrated strong reliability and pace with 136 laps completed. Their straight-line speed particularly stood out, with Williams' James Vowles noting they gain over half a second on the home straight alone. Mercedes, meanwhile, endured a disrupted session as Kimi Antonelli spent much of the second session in the garage.

At this early testing stage, teams aren't necessarily chasing maximum performance, making direct comparisons difficult. However, Red Bull's consistency over longer runs and their energy deployment on straights suggest they may have set the early benchmark for 2026. With three more days of testing in Bahrain before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, teams will continue refining their cars ahead of what promises to be a competitive season.