Formula 1 testing has kicked off in Bahrain with Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and Cadillac among the headline acts on day one. The preseason sessions mark the first opportunity for teams to evaluate their 2026 machinery under real track conditions ahead of the new campaign.

Verstappen, the reigning world champion, was immediately back in the spotlight as Red Bull seeks to maintain its dominance. Piastri, fresh off his breakthrough 2025 season with McLaren, is looking to build momentum, while Cadillac makes its highly anticipated F1 debut as the sport's newest manufacturer entrant. The American marque's participation represents a significant shift in F1's global expansion strategy.

Early running focused on reliability checks and aerodynamic assessments, with teams carefully managing their limited testing mileage. The cooler Bahrain temperatures provided different challenges compared to the heat of race weekends. As the four-day test progresses, attention will turn to lap times and race simulations that could offer early indicators of the competitive order for 2026.