Day 4 of Bahrain F1 testing delivered the clearest competitive picture yet as pre-season running resumed on Wednesday at the Bahrain International Circuit.
George Russell finished fastest for Mercedes, narrowly ahead of Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. But beyond the Bahrain F1 testing Day 4 results, regulatory tensions and political discussions are already shaping the narrative ahead of the 2026 season opener.
Bahrain F1 testing Day 4 results
Top three — Day 4 Bahrain F1 testing
- George Russell (Mercedes) — 1m33.459s
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — +0.010s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) — 1m33.739s
Russell also completed the highest mileage of the day with 77 laps, underlining Mercedes’ focus on both pace and reliability.
Stable conditions favour long-run programmes
Teams were greeted by near-ideal weather in Sakhir, with warm temperatures, clear skies and unusually low wind providing consistent track conditions.
Leclerc had set the early benchmark during the morning session for Ferrari, but — as is typical during Bahrain F1 testing — headline lap times only told part of the story. Fuel loads, engine modes and programme priorities remained closely guarded.
Most teams changed drivers for the afternoon session. The exception was Red Bull Racing, which kept rookie Isack Hadjar in the car after earlier technical work limited his running.
The only major interruption came when Lance Stroll lost control of his Aston Martin F1 Team at Turn 11, triggering a brief red flag.
As track temperatures dropped towards sunset, conditions became more representative. Piastri briefly moved to the top before Russell responded with the fastest lap of Bahrain F1 testing Day 4.
Behind the leading trio, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli completed the top five.
The early competitive picture suggests Mercedes and McLaren are building momentum, Ferrari remain consistently in the mix, while Aston Martin continue to prioritise mileage following intermittent reliability concerns. New entrant Cadillac F1 Team endured a difficult day at the rear of the field.
Verstappen delivers blunt FIA press conference response
If the Bahrain F1 testing Day 4 track action provided data, the FIA press conferences delivered personality.
On the drivers’ panel were world champions Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, alongside Valtteri Bottas and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
Verstappen was characteristically direct when asked about criticism of the new engine regulations.
“We live in a free world — free speech,” he said.
On concerns about increasingly complex starting procedures, he added: “You can always start from the pit lane if you feel unsafe.”
The Dutch driver also dismissed comparisons with other categories: “Let Formula E be Formula E. We should stay Formula 1.”
Racing Bulls confirm Tsunoda–Iwasa reserve structure
During the team principals’ session, Racing Bulls sporting director Alane Permane confirmed the team’s reserve-driver framework.
“It’s great to have Yuki still in the family,” Permane said of Yuki Tsunoda. “He’s been part of this team for a long time… his input will be very, very valuable.”
Permane indicated that Tsunoda will maintain a visible paddock role, contributing experience and technical feedback during race weekends.
By contrast, Ayumu Iwasa is expected to focus primarily on simulator work and selected FP1 appearances, reflecting a structured two-tier reserve strategy.
FIA rule debate intensifies during Bahrain test
Away from the track, the Bahrain F1 testing Day 4 political story continued to build.
Drivers held a private meeting during the week to discuss concerns surrounding race starts, energy deployment and safety under the 2026 regulations. According to FIA sources, however, there is currently little appetite for immediate rule changes.
One significant technical development concerns power-unit compliance. The FIA confirmed a proposal that from 1 August 2026, the compression-ratio limit will be measured not only at ambient conditions but also at a representative operating temperature of 130°C.
In practical terms, engines will be tested under hot-running conditions more closely aligned with race scenarios. The proposal still requires formal approval but could require adjustments from manufacturers, with Mercedes understood to be particularly affected.
Fuel approvals are also progressing, with Esso confirmed for the Red Bull group, while Mercedes are reportedly still awaiting clearance regarding their 2026 Petronas specification.
What to watch next in Bahrain testing
Testing continues on Thursday, with Verstappen scheduled for a full day in the car and further FIA press conferences expected to generate fresh headlines.
With only limited running remaining before the Australian Grand Prix, Bahrain F1 testing Day 4 suggests the competitive order is beginning to stabilise — even as the regulatory battle behind the scenes continues to evolve.
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