Charles Leclerc, driver of Ferrari, recorded the best time on the second day of pre-season testing of The Monegasque clocked 1min34s273 in the afternoon session, a mark that remained the fastest of the entire day. The activity took place under hot conditions typical of the region, with high temperatures on the track that challenged the new cars designed for the 2026 season. Collective tests are used for teams to validate aerodynamic and mechanical updates before the start of the championship. Ferrari showed consistency by leading both the morning and afternoon with the same driver. Outras teams, such as McLaren and Haas, also showed competitive performances in the following positions.
The morning session already indicated the dominance of Leclerc, which established the initial reference. The afternoon confirmed the superiority of the Italian car in fast laps.
- Leclerc completed 139 laps in total for the day.
- Norris was 0s511 behind the leader.
- Bearman surprised by Haas in third.
Dominance of Ferrari in both sessions
Ferrari demonstrated strength from the beginning of the second day of activities. Charles Leclerc maintained a fast pace in both sessions, taking advantage of the 5.412 km route of Circuito Internacional and Bahrein. The Monegasque driver focused on qualifying simulations and long races, which reinforced the reliability of the package presented by the Italian team.
The consistent performance put Ferrari ahead of its direct rivals. The team completed a high volume of mileage without serious mechanical complications. Esse positive result occurs at a time of regulatory transition to 2026, with new specifications for power units and aerodynamics.
Charles goes faster on Day 2! 👊
—Formula 1 (@F1)February 12, 2026
Jump aboard Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari and watch him set the fastest time of the second day in Bahrain 💨#F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/q8NN1rde9q
Position of Gabriel Bortoleto by Audi
Gabriel Bortoleto ended the day in sixth place for Audi. The Brazilian completed 67 laps and progressively improved the car’s setup throughout the afternoon.
Bortoleto temporarily occupied fifth position before leaving the track in an attempt for a fast lap. The German team focused its efforts on suspension adjustments and engine mapping. The pilot showed quick adaptation to the new equipment despite the isolated incident.
The Brazilian gained valuable experience in real hot track conditions. Audi, in its year of official entry into the category, prioritized data collection for future corrections.
Main positions of the second day
The top ten posted competitive times on the second day of testing. The table reflects the work carried out in fast laps and varied simulations.
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1min34s273
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1min34s784
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 1min35s394
- George Russell (Mercedes) – time close to top 3
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) – fifth position
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – sixth place
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – seventh place
- Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – eighth place
- Alexander Albon (Williams) – ninth beat
- Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) – tenth place
These positions indicate the initial level of preparation of the teams. McLaren and Haas appeared well placed just behind Ferrari. Red Bull and Mercedes maintained a constant pace without forcing extreme laps.
Disruptions and track conditions
Two red flags marked the afternoon session at Bahrein. The first occurred due to debris left after Valtteri Bottas’s rear view mirror came loose on the road.
The second interruption came due to the mechanical breakdown in Pierre Gasly’s car, from Alpine. Nos final minutes, the race management carried out a procedure test with a yellow flag simulating a safety car. The closing focused on starting training for all drivers.
The hot conditions required careful tire and temperature management. Equipes adjusted strategies to avoid excessive overheating of components.
Presence of guests in the paddock
The second day of testing welcomed distinguished visitors to Circuito Internacional of Bahrein. The actor Keanu Reeves followed the activities as a guest of Cadillac.
Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz visited the paddock at the invitation of Aston Martin. Essas attendance highlights the open nature of pre-season testing, which allows access for sports and entertainment personalities.
Guests observed the sessions closely and interacted with teams. The presence reinforces the global appeal of Fórmula 1 in the run-up to the championship.
Mileage volume completed
The teams prioritized high mileage on the second day. Ferrari led with 139 laps completed by Leclerc alone.
Audi accumulated important data with the 67 laps of Bortoleto. Outras teams, such as McLaren and Mercedes, also surpassed the 100-turn mark on the Bahraini circuit.
This volume allows reliability validation in extreme conditions. Testing continues with the third day scheduled to evaluate more final adjustments before the start of the season.
Team perspectives for day three
Ferrari plans to maintain the intensive development program. The Italian team seeks to confirm the positive impressions obtained so far.
Audi focuses its efforts on corrections identified in lane departures. Bortoleto must share the car with his teammate the next day. McLaren and Haas intend to further explore the potential shown in prominent positions.
