Rory Mitchell
@rorymitchellf1.bsky.social
F1 Journalist. f1debrief.substack.com.
Bylines with Sector.World, F1Oversteer, RacingNews365, Autosport, Motorsport News, ZAG Daily. Formerly PR @ Patterrn. University of Sheffield graduate.
Bylines with Sector.World, F1Oversteer, RacingNews365, Autosport, Motorsport News, ZAG Daily. Formerly PR @ Patterrn. University of Sheffield graduate.
A few things that jump out about #F1 2026 after 3 days:
- Different driving techniques with energy management + turbo lag
- Oversteer more common due to instant torque from MGU-K
- Mercedes/Audi use a lot of revs downshifting compared to other teams
- Starts will be harder: takes 10s to spool turbo
- Different driving techniques with energy management + turbo lag
- Oversteer more common due to instant torque from MGU-K
- Mercedes/Audi use a lot of revs downshifting compared to other teams
- Starts will be harder: takes 10s to spool turbo
February 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM
A few things that jump out about #F1 2026 after 3 days:
- Different driving techniques with energy management + turbo lag
- Oversteer more common due to instant torque from MGU-K
- Mercedes/Audi use a lot of revs downshifting compared to other teams
- Starts will be harder: takes 10s to spool turbo
- Different driving techniques with energy management + turbo lag
- Oversteer more common due to instant torque from MGU-K
- Mercedes/Audi use a lot of revs downshifting compared to other teams
- Starts will be harder: takes 10s to spool turbo
Total laps per team after three days of #F1 Bahrain testing, quite the contrast to Barcelona:
Williams - 415
McLaren - 414
Ferrari - 409
Haas - 382
Audi - 345
Red Bull - 336
Racing Bulls - 327
Cadillac - 315
Alpine - 311
Mercedes - 270
Aston Martin - 203
Williams - 415
McLaren - 414
Ferrari - 409
Haas - 382
Audi - 345
Red Bull - 336
Racing Bulls - 327
Cadillac - 315
Alpine - 311
Mercedes - 270
Aston Martin - 203
February 13, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Total laps per team after three days of #F1 Bahrain testing, quite the contrast to Barcelona:
Williams - 415
McLaren - 414
Ferrari - 409
Haas - 382
Audi - 345
Red Bull - 336
Racing Bulls - 327
Cadillac - 315
Alpine - 311
Mercedes - 270
Aston Martin - 203
Williams - 415
McLaren - 414
Ferrari - 409
Haas - 382
Audi - 345
Red Bull - 336
Racing Bulls - 327
Cadillac - 315
Alpine - 311
Mercedes - 270
Aston Martin - 203
Total laps per team after Day 3 of #F1 Bahrain testing:
McLaren - 153
Williams - 139
Ferrari - 138
Haas - 138
Alpine - 137
Mercedes - 127
Red Bull - 114
Audi - 109
Cadillac - 99
Aston Martin - 69
McLaren - 153
Williams - 139
Ferrari - 138
Haas - 138
Alpine - 137
Mercedes - 127
Red Bull - 114
Audi - 109
Cadillac - 99
Aston Martin - 69
February 13, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Total laps per team after Day 3 of #F1 Bahrain testing:
McLaren - 153
Williams - 139
Ferrari - 138
Haas - 138
Alpine - 137
Mercedes - 127
Red Bull - 114
Audi - 109
Cadillac - 99
Aston Martin - 69
McLaren - 153
Williams - 139
Ferrari - 138
Haas - 138
Alpine - 137
Mercedes - 127
Red Bull - 114
Audi - 109
Cadillac - 99
Aston Martin - 69
Practice start was a bit chaotic at the end of Day 3. Colapinto nearly dropped it into the barrier, then when he did start his car, it kicked into anti-stall 200m later.
Only Hadjar, Ocon and Antonelli pulled away. Both the Haas and Red Bull had to avoid Piastri as the lights extinguished. #F1
Only Hadjar, Ocon and Antonelli pulled away. Both the Haas and Red Bull had to avoid Piastri as the lights extinguished. #F1
February 13, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Practice start was a bit chaotic at the end of Day 3. Colapinto nearly dropped it into the barrier, then when he did start his car, it kicked into anti-stall 200m later.
Only Hadjar, Ocon and Antonelli pulled away. Both the Haas and Red Bull had to avoid Piastri as the lights extinguished. #F1
Only Hadjar, Ocon and Antonelli pulled away. Both the Haas and Red Bull had to avoid Piastri as the lights extinguished. #F1
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 3 PM times:
1. ANT - 1:33.669
2. HAM - 1:34.209
3. PIA - 1:34.549
4. HAD - 1:35.610
5. OCO - 1:35.753
6. COL - 1:35.806
7. HUL - 1:36.291
8. ALB - 1:36.793
9. STR - 1:38.165
10. PER - 1:39.251
1. ANT - 1:33.669
2. HAM - 1:34.209
3. PIA - 1:34.549
4. HAD - 1:35.610
5. OCO - 1:35.753
6. COL - 1:35.806
7. HUL - 1:36.291
8. ALB - 1:36.793
9. STR - 1:38.165
10. PER - 1:39.251
February 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 3 PM times:
1. ANT - 1:33.669
2. HAM - 1:34.209
3. PIA - 1:34.549
4. HAD - 1:35.610
5. OCO - 1:35.753
6. COL - 1:35.806
7. HUL - 1:36.291
8. ALB - 1:36.793
9. STR - 1:38.165
10. PER - 1:39.251
1. ANT - 1:33.669
2. HAM - 1:34.209
3. PIA - 1:34.549
4. HAD - 1:35.610
5. OCO - 1:35.753
6. COL - 1:35.806
7. HUL - 1:36.291
8. ALB - 1:36.793
9. STR - 1:38.165
10. PER - 1:39.251
Antonelli in the Mercedes for the afternoon has just done two quick laps on the soft tyre to go top: a 1:33.900, then a 1:33.669, which is two and a half tenths faster than Russell. #F1
February 13, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Antonelli in the Mercedes for the afternoon has just done two quick laps on the soft tyre to go top: a 1:33.900, then a 1:33.669, which is two and a half tenths faster than Russell. #F1
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 3 AM times:
1. RUS - 1:33.918
2. HAM - 1:34.209
3. VER - 1:35.341
4. BEA - 1:35.972
5. PIA - 1:36.390
6. COL - 1:36.874
7. SAI - 1:37.186
8. LAW - 1:37.238
9. BOR - 1:37.536
10. STR - 1:38.423
11. BOT - 1:38.772
1. RUS - 1:33.918
2. HAM - 1:34.209
3. VER - 1:35.341
4. BEA - 1:35.972
5. PIA - 1:36.390
6. COL - 1:36.874
7. SAI - 1:37.186
8. LAW - 1:37.238
9. BOR - 1:37.536
10. STR - 1:38.423
11. BOT - 1:38.772
February 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 3 AM times:
1. RUS - 1:33.918
2. HAM - 1:34.209
3. VER - 1:35.341
4. BEA - 1:35.972
5. PIA - 1:36.390
6. COL - 1:36.874
7. SAI - 1:37.186
8. LAW - 1:37.238
9. BOR - 1:37.536
10. STR - 1:38.423
11. BOT - 1:38.772
1. RUS - 1:33.918
2. HAM - 1:34.209
3. VER - 1:35.341
4. BEA - 1:35.972
5. PIA - 1:36.390
6. COL - 1:36.874
7. SAI - 1:37.186
8. LAW - 1:37.238
9. BOR - 1:37.536
10. STR - 1:38.423
11. BOT - 1:38.772
First few hours of the final day of Bahrain testing this week:
- Russell quickest with a benchmark of 1:33.918s
- Hamilton P2 (+0.291s) and Verstappen P3 (+1.423s)
- Bottas caused an early red flag for stopping on track after just 8 laps
- Most laps completed by Sainz and Lawson on 50 each #F1
- Russell quickest with a benchmark of 1:33.918s
- Hamilton P2 (+0.291s) and Verstappen P3 (+1.423s)
- Bottas caused an early red flag for stopping on track after just 8 laps
- Most laps completed by Sainz and Lawson on 50 each #F1
February 13, 2026 at 9:29 AM
First few hours of the final day of Bahrain testing this week:
- Russell quickest with a benchmark of 1:33.918s
- Hamilton P2 (+0.291s) and Verstappen P3 (+1.423s)
- Bottas caused an early red flag for stopping on track after just 8 laps
- Most laps completed by Sainz and Lawson on 50 each #F1
- Russell quickest with a benchmark of 1:33.918s
- Hamilton P2 (+0.291s) and Verstappen P3 (+1.423s)
- Bottas caused an early red flag for stopping on track after just 8 laps
- Most laps completed by Sainz and Lawson on 50 each #F1
In typical Formula 1 fashion, teams are engulfed in controversy before the grand unveiling of the new era at the season opener in Australia. And the stakes are high.
Will everything be resolved before Melbourne? #F1
f1debrief.substack.com/p/will-f1s-e...
Will everything be resolved before Melbourne? #F1
f1debrief.substack.com/p/will-f1s-e...
Will F1’s engine compression row be resolved before Melbourne?
In typical Formula 1 fashion, teams are engulfed in controversy before the grand unveiling of the new era at the season opener in Australia. And the stakes are high.
f1debrief.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:46 PM
In typical Formula 1 fashion, teams are engulfed in controversy before the grand unveiling of the new era at the season opener in Australia. And the stakes are high.
Will everything be resolved before Melbourne? #F1
f1debrief.substack.com/p/will-f1s-e...
Will everything be resolved before Melbourne? #F1
f1debrief.substack.com/p/will-f1s-e...
Trailer for season eight of Drive to Survive has dropped, out on 27th February. #F1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyw8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyw8...
Formula 1: Drive To Survive Season 8 Official Trailer | Netflix
YouTube video by FORMULA 1
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Trailer for season eight of Drive to Survive has dropped, out on 27th February. #F1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyw8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyw8...
Total laps per team after Day 2 of #F1 Bahrain testing:
McLaren - 149
Ferrari - 139
Racing Bulls - 133
Haas - 130
Williams - 131
Audi - 114
Cadillac - 109
Aston Martin - 98
Alpine - 97
Red Bull - 87
Mercedes - 57
McLaren - 149
Ferrari - 139
Racing Bulls - 133
Haas - 130
Williams - 131
Audi - 114
Cadillac - 109
Aston Martin - 98
Alpine - 97
Red Bull - 87
Mercedes - 57
February 12, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Total laps per team after Day 2 of #F1 Bahrain testing:
McLaren - 149
Ferrari - 139
Racing Bulls - 133
Haas - 130
Williams - 131
Audi - 114
Cadillac - 109
Aston Martin - 98
Alpine - 97
Red Bull - 87
Mercedes - 57
McLaren - 149
Ferrari - 139
Racing Bulls - 133
Haas - 130
Williams - 131
Audi - 114
Cadillac - 109
Aston Martin - 98
Alpine - 97
Red Bull - 87
Mercedes - 57
Bahrain #F1 testing Day 2 PM times:
1. LEC - 1:34.273
2. NOR - 1:34.784
3. BEA - 1:35.394
4. RUS - 1:35.466
5. HAD - 1:36.561
6. BOR - 1:36.670
7. GAS - 1:36.723
8. BOT - 1:36.824
9. LIN - 1:37.470
10. SAI - 1:37.592
11. LAW - 1:38.017
12. ALO - 1:38.248
1. LEC - 1:34.273
2. NOR - 1:34.784
3. BEA - 1:35.394
4. RUS - 1:35.466
5. HAD - 1:36.561
6. BOR - 1:36.670
7. GAS - 1:36.723
8. BOT - 1:36.824
9. LIN - 1:37.470
10. SAI - 1:37.592
11. LAW - 1:38.017
12. ALO - 1:38.248
February 12, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Bahrain #F1 testing Day 2 PM times:
1. LEC - 1:34.273
2. NOR - 1:34.784
3. BEA - 1:35.394
4. RUS - 1:35.466
5. HAD - 1:36.561
6. BOR - 1:36.670
7. GAS - 1:36.723
8. BOT - 1:36.824
9. LIN - 1:37.470
10. SAI - 1:37.592
11. LAW - 1:38.017
12. ALO - 1:38.248
1. LEC - 1:34.273
2. NOR - 1:34.784
3. BEA - 1:35.394
4. RUS - 1:35.466
5. HAD - 1:36.561
6. BOR - 1:36.670
7. GAS - 1:36.723
8. BOT - 1:36.824
9. LIN - 1:37.470
10. SAI - 1:37.592
11. LAW - 1:38.017
12. ALO - 1:38.248
Red Bull is now out on track in the afternoon session, with Hadjar completing 28 laps and currently ninth fastest.
Mercedes is also on track after PU issues in the AM with Russell now at the wheel. #F1
Mercedes is also on track after PU issues in the AM with Russell now at the wheel. #F1
February 12, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Red Bull is now out on track in the afternoon session, with Hadjar completing 28 laps and currently ninth fastest.
Mercedes is also on track after PU issues in the AM with Russell now at the wheel. #F1
Mercedes is also on track after PU issues in the AM with Russell now at the wheel. #F1
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 2 AM times:
1. LEC - 1:34.273
2. NOR - 1:34.784
3. GAS - 1:36.723
4. BEA - 1:37.025
5. ALB - 1:37.229
6. HUL - 1:37.266
7. LAW - 1:38.017
8. PER - 1:38.653
9. ALO - 1:38.960
10. ANT - NO TIME
11. HAD - NO TIME
1. LEC - 1:34.273
2. NOR - 1:34.784
3. GAS - 1:36.723
4. BEA - 1:37.025
5. ALB - 1:37.229
6. HUL - 1:37.266
7. LAW - 1:38.017
8. PER - 1:38.653
9. ALO - 1:38.960
10. ANT - NO TIME
11. HAD - NO TIME
February 12, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 2 AM times:
1. LEC - 1:34.273
2. NOR - 1:34.784
3. GAS - 1:36.723
4. BEA - 1:37.025
5. ALB - 1:37.229
6. HUL - 1:37.266
7. LAW - 1:38.017
8. PER - 1:38.653
9. ALO - 1:38.960
10. ANT - NO TIME
11. HAD - NO TIME
1. LEC - 1:34.273
2. NOR - 1:34.784
3. GAS - 1:36.723
4. BEA - 1:37.025
5. ALB - 1:37.229
6. HUL - 1:37.266
7. LAW - 1:38.017
8. PER - 1:38.653
9. ALO - 1:38.960
10. ANT - NO TIME
11. HAD - NO TIME
First few hours of Bahrain testing Day 2:
- Red Bull not on track yet after encountering a hydraulic leak
- Audi and Mercedes also only completed 3 laps between them
- Early red flag caused by Perez
- Leclerc fastest with a 1:34.442 followed by Norris (+1.353) #F1
- Red Bull not on track yet after encountering a hydraulic leak
- Audi and Mercedes also only completed 3 laps between them
- Early red flag caused by Perez
- Leclerc fastest with a 1:34.442 followed by Norris (+1.353) #F1
February 12, 2026 at 9:06 AM
First few hours of Bahrain testing Day 2:
- Red Bull not on track yet after encountering a hydraulic leak
- Audi and Mercedes also only completed 3 laps between them
- Early red flag caused by Perez
- Leclerc fastest with a 1:34.442 followed by Norris (+1.353) #F1
- Red Bull not on track yet after encountering a hydraulic leak
- Audi and Mercedes also only completed 3 laps between them
- Early red flag caused by Perez
- Leclerc fastest with a 1:34.442 followed by Norris (+1.353) #F1
A few observations watching the 2026 cars:
- They are very twitchy under braking
- Drivers are generally using higher revs on straights and through corners
- Rear wing lights flash a lot more
- No MGH-H means drivers are revving the cars more during standing starts to spool turbo #F1
- They are very twitchy under braking
- Drivers are generally using higher revs on straights and through corners
- Rear wing lights flash a lot more
- No MGH-H means drivers are revving the cars more during standing starts to spool turbo #F1
February 11, 2026 at 5:51 PM
A few observations watching the 2026 cars:
- They are very twitchy under braking
- Drivers are generally using higher revs on straights and through corners
- Rear wing lights flash a lot more
- No MGH-H means drivers are revving the cars more during standing starts to spool turbo #F1
- They are very twitchy under braking
- Drivers are generally using higher revs on straights and through corners
- Rear wing lights flash a lot more
- No MGH-H means drivers are revving the cars more during standing starts to spool turbo #F1
Total laps per team after Day 1 of #F1 Bahrain testing:
Red Bull - 135
Ferrari - 132
Williams - 145
Audi - 122
Haas - 114
McLaren - 112
Cadillac - 107
Mercedes - 86
Alpine - 77
Racing Bulls - 75
Aston Martin - 36
Red Bull - 135
Ferrari - 132
Williams - 145
Audi - 122
Haas - 114
McLaren - 112
Cadillac - 107
Mercedes - 86
Alpine - 77
Racing Bulls - 75
Aston Martin - 36
February 11, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Total laps per team after Day 1 of #F1 Bahrain testing:
Red Bull - 135
Ferrari - 132
Williams - 145
Audi - 122
Haas - 114
McLaren - 112
Cadillac - 107
Mercedes - 86
Alpine - 77
Racing Bulls - 75
Aston Martin - 36
Red Bull - 135
Ferrari - 132
Williams - 145
Audi - 122
Haas - 114
McLaren - 112
Cadillac - 107
Mercedes - 86
Alpine - 77
Racing Bulls - 75
Aston Martin - 36
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 1 PM times:
1. NOR - 1:34.669
2. VER - 1:34.798
3. LEC - 1:35.190
4. OCO - 1:35.578
5. GAS - 1:36.765
6. HUL - 1:36.861
7. ALB - 1:37.437
8. ANT - 1:37.629
9. PER - 1:38.828
1. NOR - 1:34.669
2. VER - 1:34.798
3. LEC - 1:35.190
4. OCO - 1:35.578
5. GAS - 1:36.765
6. HUL - 1:36.861
7. ALB - 1:37.437
8. ANT - 1:37.629
9. PER - 1:38.828
February 11, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 1 PM times:
1. NOR - 1:34.669
2. VER - 1:34.798
3. LEC - 1:35.190
4. OCO - 1:35.578
5. GAS - 1:36.765
6. HUL - 1:36.861
7. ALB - 1:37.437
8. ANT - 1:37.629
9. PER - 1:38.828
1. NOR - 1:34.669
2. VER - 1:34.798
3. LEC - 1:35.190
4. OCO - 1:35.578
5. GAS - 1:36.765
6. HUL - 1:36.861
7. ALB - 1:37.437
8. ANT - 1:37.629
9. PER - 1:38.828
Just under an hour to go with the first day of testing at Bahrain, and Norris is quickest on a 1:34.669s followed by Verstappen (+0.151s) and Leclerc (+0.370s). #F1
February 11, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Just under an hour to go with the first day of testing at Bahrain, and Norris is quickest on a 1:34.669s followed by Verstappen (+0.151s) and Leclerc (+0.370s). #F1
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 1 AM times:
1. VER - 1:35.433
2. PIA - 1:35.602
3. RUS - 1:36.108
4. HAM - 1:36.433
5. OCO - 1:37.169
6. LIN - 1:37.945
7. SAI - 1:38.221
8. BOR - 1:38.871
9. BOT - 1:39.150
10. STR - 1:39.883
11. COL - 1:40.330
1. VER - 1:35.433
2. PIA - 1:35.602
3. RUS - 1:36.108
4. HAM - 1:36.433
5. OCO - 1:37.169
6. LIN - 1:37.945
7. SAI - 1:38.221
8. BOR - 1:38.871
9. BOT - 1:39.150
10. STR - 1:39.883
11. COL - 1:40.330
February 11, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Bahrain #F1 Testing Day 1 AM times:
1. VER - 1:35.433
2. PIA - 1:35.602
3. RUS - 1:36.108
4. HAM - 1:36.433
5. OCO - 1:37.169
6. LIN - 1:37.945
7. SAI - 1:38.221
8. BOR - 1:38.871
9. BOT - 1:39.150
10. STR - 1:39.883
11. COL - 1:40.330
1. VER - 1:35.433
2. PIA - 1:35.602
3. RUS - 1:36.108
4. HAM - 1:36.433
5. OCO - 1:37.169
6. LIN - 1:37.945
7. SAI - 1:38.221
8. BOR - 1:38.871
9. BOT - 1:39.150
10. STR - 1:39.883
11. COL - 1:40.330
Opening couple of hours into the first official F1 pre-season test at Bahrain:
- Lindblad quickest with a 1:37.945
- Williams made it's debut with Sainz currently fifth quickest
- Hamilton, Colapinto, Stroll and Bottas had offs at Turns 9 and 10 sequence
- Every team made it out of the garage #F1
- Lindblad quickest with a 1:37.945
- Williams made it's debut with Sainz currently fifth quickest
- Hamilton, Colapinto, Stroll and Bottas had offs at Turns 9 and 10 sequence
- Every team made it out of the garage #F1
February 11, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Opening couple of hours into the first official F1 pre-season test at Bahrain:
- Lindblad quickest with a 1:37.945
- Williams made it's debut with Sainz currently fifth quickest
- Hamilton, Colapinto, Stroll and Bottas had offs at Turns 9 and 10 sequence
- Every team made it out of the garage #F1
- Lindblad quickest with a 1:37.945
- Williams made it's debut with Sainz currently fifth quickest
- Hamilton, Colapinto, Stroll and Bottas had offs at Turns 9 and 10 sequence
- Every team made it out of the garage #F1
Mercedes statement says Kimi Antonelli was "completely unharmed" after being involved in a traffic accident on Saturday in Serravalle. Nobody else was involved in the crash. He was driving his 'company car' - a special edition, top-of-the-range Mercedes-AMG GT63 PRO 4MATIC+ worth over £150,000. #F1
February 10, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Mercedes statement says Kimi Antonelli was "completely unharmed" after being involved in a traffic accident on Saturday in Serravalle. Nobody else was involved in the crash. He was driving his 'company car' - a special edition, top-of-the-range Mercedes-AMG GT63 PRO 4MATIC+ worth over £150,000. #F1