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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'Victor N' - I had a feeling Minardi would come up. It does beg the question though: what is the future for that Faenza squad?
Now under its Racing Bulls guise, is there still a place for a so-called second squad on the grid - especially when, historically, it's been a junior team for Red Bull but the likes of de Vries and Ricciardo have driven for it in recent years.
Though, tbf, with Lawson and Lindblad it does seem to be going back to its roots now.
Fernando Alonso, Minardi PS01
Photo by: Sutton Images
Where's Cadillac?
As you have probably noticed, Cadillac is yet to hit the track today and we are working hard to find out why.
Lap count
- Lando Norris – McLaren – 16 laps
- George Russell – Mercedes – 16 laps
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 15 laps
- Alex Albon – Williams – 13 laps
- Franco Colapinto – Alpine – 11 laps
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Audi – 8 laps
- Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – 8 laps
- Oliver Bearman – Haas – 8 laps
- Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls – 6 laps
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – 5 laps
Earlier we spoke about the starting procedure test that happened at the end of Wednesday's running. The FIA has now confirmed that this'll happen at the end of each session, morning and afternoon.
Just more on that question from 'rishab155'
In the earlier days of last week, the Ferrari's rear end looked to be a little twitchy. But this appears to have been stabilised, and the drivers seem much more at ease with the SF-26. The exhaust winglet appears to be a nifty little tool - while perhaps overegged in some areas of the media, using the exhaust gases for downforce is a good way to maintain cornering performance as the engine continues to run off-throttle. But, at this stage, George Russell's long runs look pretty devastating; he managed a string of 1m36s yesterday, surpassing the 1m37s-1m38s achieved by the Ferraris and McLarens.
The Aston Martin also catches the eye, but not for the right reasons; the drivers seem completely unsure of what the AMR26 will do on the approach to a corner - hence the myriad lock-ups in the slower turns.
McLaren top
Where have we seen that before? Norris has just set the fastest lap of pre-season as the reigning world champion did a 1m33.453s on the medium tyre.
That beats the previous best time of a 1m33.459s from Russell, who did his time on Wednesday.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
The commentary team has been discussing that 2009 season from Brawn GP.
We all know the story there, so for no reason at all other than a bit of fun, tell us if there has been a minnow team - not saying Brawn was one - from the past that you adored.
As an example, for no reason at all, I had a soft spot for Super Aguri...
Sakon Yamamoto, Super Aguri F1 SA06.
Photo by: Mark Capilitan
'rishab155' - yes, we have a group of team members out in Bahrain. I think one of the early learnings is that the top four from last year - Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull - has increased its gap on the competition. So much so, Ocon thinks the midfield is "seconds away".
Outside of that, Haas is performing quite solid and the VF-26 seems to be responsive and receptive to driver input.
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Lap count
- Lando Norris – McLaren – 10 laps
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Audi – 8 laps
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 8 laps
- Alex Albon – Williams – 6 laps
- George Russell – Mercedes – 6 laps
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – 5 laps
- Franco Colapinto – Alpine – 5 laps
- Oliver Bearman – Haas – 4 laps
- Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls – 3 laps
- Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – 2 laps
Norris now has the current with a 1m34.626s, so the lap times are significantly getting quicker already considering Verstappen was quickest on a 1m38s at the start.
For reference, the quickest lap from last Thursday morning was Leclerc with a 1m34.273s.
Lando Norris, McLaren
Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images
Lap times are starting to ramp up now as Audi's Bortoleto has gone top with a 1m38.025s.
'Morksol4' throwing his support towards Aston Martin. Well, you're not the only one to do that as world champion Verstappen has revealed he hopes Honda 'do very well' as the Silverstone outfit's engine supplier.
This comes after a very disappointing start to the season for Aston Martin and Honda.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
That's just over 10 minutes done now and it's actually been a rather busy track. There's been 10 drivers to venture out, though only Verstappen, Hamilton, Russell and Lawson have a time on the board.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
We have our first lap time of the day and it goes to Verstappen, who sets a 1m38.955s on medium rubber.
The penultimate day of pre-season testing is go, go, go!
There's five minutes to go until running so please, as ever, submit your F1 questions and we shall do our best to get them answered!
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photo by: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Who is driving on the morning of day five?
McLaren - Norris
Mercedes - Russell
Red Bull - Verstappen
Ferrari - Hamilton
Williams - Albon
Racing Bulls - Lawson
Aston Martin - Alonso
Haas - Bearman
Audi - Bortoleto
Alpine - Colapinto
Cadillac - Bottas
Hello! Welcome to live commentary for the penultimate day of pre-season testing for the 2026 campaign in Bahrain 
By: Autosport Staff
