The 2026 Bahrain pre-season test will officially be the first time all 22 cars will run on the track under the new rules, giving fans their first real look at what to expect from the upcoming 24 race weekends, including six sprint events. While it won’t technically be the first time the cars have burned tarmac – teams tested behind closed doors in Barcelona a few weeks ago – that session offered only limited highlights. Bahrain therefore acts as the true curtain raiser for the 2026 season.
It will be especially fascinating because of the huge wave of regulation changes this year, with experts calling it the biggest reset in the sport’s history. This has made the season more unpredictable and exciting, as the teams actually start from scratch.
Early signs from Barcelona suggest that Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari remain the heavyweights, but Bahrain will provide the first real data to see who can really mount a title challenge. Can Mercedes have another dominant run like they did last time new rules were introduced? Another reason we can’t wait for Bahrain is that it officially ends the nearly two-month break since the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where Lando Norris and McLaren lifted the championships.
There are also several burning questions that fans and pundits alike hope to find answers to in Bahrain: How will new entrants Cadillac and Audi fare? What can we expect from the season’s only rookie, Arvid Lindblad? And can Isack Hadjar finally break the curse of the second Red Bull seat?
Bahrain will host two three-day test sessions: 11-13 February and 18-20 February. Like the Barcelona test, the first Bahrain session will not be broadcast in full, with only the final hour streamed live. The good news is that every minute of the second session, from February 18 to 20, will be broadcast live.
Here’s our easy guide on how to watch the F1 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain live online, anywhere.
How to watch F1 2026 Bahrain test in USA
How to watch F1 2026 Bahrain test from anywhere
🌎 ABROAD? F1 is broadcast in many countries around the world, but if you’re traveling outside your country, you should consider using one of the best VPNs to unblock your domestic streaming service, provided it doesn’t violate any terms and conditions.
A VPN allows you to move your device back to your home country. NordVPN is our VPN of choice and you can use it to watch the F1 2026 Bahrain test while away from home.
How to watch the F1 2026 Bahrain test in the UK
In the UK, Sky Sports will continue as the home of F1 with the dedicated channel for all the action.
Sky Sports packages start from £22 per month. Or you can use a more flexible streaming option, Now, (formerly Now TV). Now sports passes start at £14.99.
Outside the UK when the Bahrain Test takes place? Use NordVPN (try risk-free) to look at your travels.
How to watch the F1 2026 Bahrain test in Australia
via Fox Sports Kayo is the premier option for Australian viewers with full HD coverage and multi-screen viewing options.
Kayo offers two plans: Standard and Premium. The standard plan starts at AU$29.99 per month (just AU$9.99 for your first month), while the Premium plan costs AU$45.99 per month. month (with an offer of AU$1 first month).
Outside of Oz? Australian F1 fans can still watch Kayo using NordVPN.
How to watch F1 2026 Bahrain test in Canada
Canadian F1 fans can watch the 2026 Bahrain pre-season test on TSN.
If you have dropped the cord, check out TSN Pluswhich costs $8/month or $80/year. The TSN app allows you to live stream F1 practice, qualifying and the race from your phone, streaming box or supported device.
Use NordVPN for if you are out of the country during one of the test days.
F1 2026 — Teams, drivers, testing schedule, Q+A
F1 2026 Bahrain Test Schedule
|
Test week |
Date |
Time (GMT) |
Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Test 1 |
Wednesday 11 February |
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m |
2-11 |
| Row 1 – Cell 0 |
Thursday 12 February |
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m |
2-11 |
| Row 2 – Cell 0 |
Friday 13 February |
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m |
2-11 |
|
Test 2 |
Wednesday 18 February |
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m |
2-11 |
| Row 4 – Cell 0 |
Thursday 19 February |
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m |
2-11 |
| Row 5 – Cell 0 |
Friday 20 February |
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m |
2-11 |
Why is coverage limited to the first week of the Bahrain pre-season test?
The opening week of pre-season testing is usually quiet, so the TV stations have chosen to show only one hour of coverage with a focus on an overview.
Stay tuned for week twowhen the cars will run faster and closer to race day pace, promising much more action on the track.
Full F1 2026 calendar dates
The 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship race calendar features 24 live televised races. We’ll keep you updated on them right here.
- 6.-8. March: Australia
- March 13-15: China
- 27.-29. March: Japan
- April 10-12: Bahrain
- 17.-19. April: Saudi Arabia
- 1.-3. May: Miami
- May 22-24: Canada
- 5.-7. June: Monaco
- June 12-14: Barcelona
- 26-28 June: Austria
- 3.-5. July: Great Britain
- 17.-19. July: Belgium
- 24.-26. July: Hungary
- 21.-23. August: Netherlands
- 4th-6th September: Italy
- September 11-13: Madrid
- September 24-26: Azerbaijan
- October 9-11: Singapore
- 23.-25. October: USA
- 30 October-1 November: Mexico
- 6.-8. November: Brazil
- November 19-21: Las Vegas
- 27.-29. November: Qatar
- 4th-6th December: Abu Dhabi
F1 driver lineup (2026 season)
McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Mercedes: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli
Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
Williams: Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon
Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
Haas: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman
Audi: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto
Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto
Cadillac: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas
