F1 Bahrain pre-season testing live commentary and updates - day 5
Follow for updates of day five from F1 pre-season testing for the 2026 season in Bahrain
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Albon goes eighth fastest with a 1m34.555s set on soft tyres. It is the first time today we've seen a C5 used by any driver. Only Williams (two sets), Aston Martin (two sets), Alpine (two sets) and Cadillac (one set) have selected them for this test.
Lawson goes eighth quickest with a 1m34.532s using the C4 tyres, but it is short-lived as Ocon posts a 1m34.201s also on the C4s to take that same spot.
Hamilton had looked set to improve on his personal best but has to catch the rear of his Ferrari from stepping out through the final corner which pushes him off the track and he pits immediately.
Moments later, Lawson also runs off track at Turn 5 and skips over the gravel.
Verstappen's race simulation is complete and he pits for a well-earned break having notched up 137 laps for Red Bull today. His neck will be feeling that tonight.
Hamilton gets a lap knitted together with a 1m33.689s on the C3s to go fifth, having just displaced Colapinto from that position who produced a 1m33.818s just moments earlier on the C5s.
Piastri is coming to the end of his race simulation appears to be struggling a major tyre life drop off at the end of his stints when compared to Verstappen. He's just about to get it in before the FIA systems control begins with 10 minutes to go in the session.
Ferrari hasn't used its new flipping rear wing since trying it out earlier today, with Hamilton using its more conventional rear wing as he pops up to fourth on the times with a 1m33.408s on C3s.
And that is effectively your lot, as a red flag is shown to begin the systems check tests.
Red Bull is using every opportunity despite the red flag, as the front of Verstappen's car is splashed with flow vis paint as he circulates at a constant speed before pitting.
We've got nine cars taking part in this start test, we're just missing Audi's Hulkenberg and Aston Martin's Alonso. That is until Piastri pulls off the track on the inside of Turn 1 with what looks like a systems issue with his McLaren.
So, nine becomes eight for the practice starts on the gird which is now headed by Ocon for Haas. They all line up on the grid and then, as planned, go around for an extra formation lap.
Piastri has got going again so we're back up to nine! Verstappen has got ahead of Ocon so he'll take pole position (classic) with Piastri right at the back.
Go! Go! Go! Hamilton in the Ferrari launches off the line the best to take the lead into Turn 1, just as he did at the end of the morning session. Is Ferrari pushing more than the others or do they have an edge when it comes to starts with these new power units? We'll know in just over two weeks when we get to Melbourne.
Anyway, that's our lot for today for the on-track action as the drivers head to the pits. A good day for Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull for different reasons, a bad day for Aston Martin with another on-track stoppage.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Just one more day to go in 2026 pre-season testing, or day nine of nine for the majority of teams who used their full allocation in Barcelona's shakedown.
For some teams, they will probably feel ready to go racing now, for others (Aston Martin) they could probably do with another nine days of testing.
So, one day left to learn, adapt and improve for the F1 teams and drivers before the serious business of the season starts (well, plus the three practice sessions at the Australian GP).
Assuming there are no late driver schedule changes, testing is over for Hamilton, Alonso, Albon, Lawson and Colapinto as they ran a full day today and will hand over to their respective team-mates for a full programme tomorrow.
Will any team opt for a glory run to grab the headlines and make others worry during the break between testing and the first round? Probably not, but here's hoping.
Having said no teams or drivers will likely go for glory runs, it is Antonelli who holds the fastest lap times for both the first and second Bahrain tests. Maybe we've already seen it and we don't realise it yet.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
We'll find out tomorrow. Thank you for joining us for today's action and be sure to check back in tomorrow morning for the final day which starts at 7am GMT. Go well!
By: Autosport Staff
