How to Watch the Final 2026 F1 Pre-Season Test in Bahrain

Final 2026 Pre-Season Test in Bahrain: Full Viewing Guide

The Formula 1 grid returns to the Bahrain International Circuit for the second and final pre-season test ahead of the 2026 season. Set to run from March 18 to 20, the test marks the last major on-track activity before the opening round of the championship in Australia.

F1 drivers and teams during pre-season testing in Bahrain

Event Schedule and Session Times

The test will take place over three days—Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th, and Friday 20th—with two sessions each day:

Morning Session: 1000–1400 local time (UTC+3)
Afternoon Session: 1500–1900 local time (sunset and floodlit running)

Teams will manage their own running programs, with some choosing to split seat time between drivers over lunch and others assigning full days to individual drivers.

Where and How to Watch

For this final test, F1 TV Pro will broadcast all eight hours of track action each day—unlike the first test, which only showed the final hour live. Fans will have access to uninterrupted coverage of every lap, along with:

Live commentary and expert analysis
End-of-day wrap-up shows from the F1 TV team onsite
Exclusive interviews with drivers and team personnel

Comprehensive Coverage on F1.com

In addition to live video, F1.com will provide a full suite of digital coverage, including:

An interactive live blog with real-time updates
Live timing data and lap charts
Detailed session reports and engineer insights
Tech Talk features analyzing car developments and upgrades
Breaking news and driver quotes directly from the paddock

What’s at Stake?

With teams aiming to simulate full race distances—57 laps on the 5.412km Bahrain layout—this test is crucial for finalizing car setups, evaluating tire degradation, and confirming reliability under race conditions. The data gathered here could shape expectations ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, which begins just two weeks later on March 6–8 in Melbourne.

As teams make last-minute refinements, fans can expect to see livery updates, potential upgrades, and competitive running that may hint at the early-season hierarchy.