Ferrari's Leclerc Fastest on Final Day of F1 Testing in Bahrain

The Monegasque driver topped the timesheets on the last day of pre-season testing ahead of the 2026 season opener.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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In a strong showing for Ferrari, Charles Leclerc was the fastest driver on Friday during the final day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The Monegasque driver set the quickest lap time of the day, outpacing his rivals as teams completed their preparations for the upcoming 2026 season.

Why it matters

Leclerc's performance on the final day of testing in Bahrain provides an early indication of Ferrari's competitiveness heading into the new season. As one of the top drivers on the grid, Leclerc's pace suggests the Italian team may have a strong car capable of challenging for victories and the championship.

The details

Leclerc's fastest time of 1:30.074 was set on the C5 compound tires, the softest in Pirelli's range. The 28-year-old completed a total of 84 laps, the most of any driver on Friday. Leclerc's Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz was second fastest, 0.315 seconds adrift, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen was third.

  • The final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain took place on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Charles Leclerc

A Monegasque racing driver who competes in Formula 1 for the Ferrari team.

Carlos Sainz

A Spanish racing driver who is the teammate of Charles Leclerc at the Ferrari Formula 1 team.

Max Verstappen

A Dutch racing driver who competes in Formula 1 for the Red Bull Racing team and is the reigning world champion.

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What they’re saying

“It was a positive final day of testing for us. The car felt good and we were able to get through our program without any issues.”

— Charles Leclerc (Motorsport.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Formula 1 season will begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2, 2026, where teams will look to build on their pre-season testing performances.

The takeaway

Leclerc's pace on the final day of testing in Bahrain suggests Ferrari may have a competitive car for the 2026 season, setting the stage for an exciting battle at the front of the grid between the Scuderia and their rivals.