The teams from Fórmula 1 return to Circuito Internacional from Sakhir for the decisive stage of preparation before the official opening of the world championship. Após the first contacts with the new cars the previous week, the drivers now face three crucial days of track activities between February 18th and 20th. Este period is essential for fine-tuning aerodynamics and validating the reliability of power units in extreme heat conditions.
The event takes on a special flavor for the Brazilian public with the change in the category’s broadcasting rights for the current season. The return of the main motorsport category to Grupo Globo marks a new phase in fans’ connectivity with the sport, offering multiple platforms for monitoring. Durante the sessions held at Oriente Médio, fans will be able to closely observe the technical innovations that the teams implemented after analyzing the data collected in the initial tests.
- The daily track schedule is divided into two shifts of four hours each.
- The first period runs from 10am to 2pm, while the second runs from 3pm to 7pm, Bahrein local time.
- For spectators at Brasil, activities begin at 4am and end at 1pm, considering the Brasília time zone.
- Television coverage will be concentrated on the subscription channel Sportv and the streaming service Globoplay.
Putting these dates straight in our diary! 🗓️
—Formula 1 (@F1)January 18, 2026
It’s a packed pre-season schedule, with Shakedown Week starting on January 26 👊#F1 pic.twitter.com/QaOSL7IUb3
Technical details and logistics of the teams in Sakhir
The engineers from the ten teams on the grid arrive in this second week with significant update packages that could change the hierarchy seen in previous days. Sakhir’s abrasive asphalt serves as the perfect laboratory for testing Pirelli’s tire compounds in high wear and thermal degradation situations. Cada kilometer traveled now avoids potential mechanical failures that could compromise the score in the first race of the year, which takes place on the same route.
The work dynamics in the pits will be intense, with mechanics carrying out component changes and suspension adjustments between drivers leaving the track. Enquanto Some teams focus on qualifying simulations with little fuel, others prioritize long sequences of laps to understand the car’s behavior at race pace. Esse strategic balance is what defines the success of the pre-season before the clocks start to count real points in the championship table.
Dynamics of track sessions and official timing
Morning sessions at Bahrein are often dedicated to aerodynamic testing, where cars are often seen with sensor grilles and “flow-vis” paint on the fairing. Como the sun is stronger and the track is hotter, the data collected serves to understand the cooling of internal components and the stability of the air flow. This is the moment when the test pilots and starters alternate the cockpit to provide different feedback on the single-seater’s drivability.
In the afternoon, the track temperature drops as the sun sets, creating conditions closer to those that will be found in the Grande Prêmio qualifying session. Muitas teams take advantage of the last hours of light to seek fast laps and test the absolute limits of new projects under the circuit’s artificial lighting. The transparency of lap times allows analysts and fans to make their first projections about who will start the year with a competitive advantage.
News in transmission and coverage for the Brazilian public
The return of broadcasts to Grupo Globo changes the way Brazilians consume Fórmula 1 content, bringing integrated narratives between open, closed and digital TV. The Sportv takes the lead role during pre-season testing, showing the afternoon sessions live to showcase the cars’ performance in real time. Além Furthermore, the Globoplay offers easy mobile access so that the enthusiast does not miss any details of the technical updates presented by the factories.
Coverage is complemented by expert analysis on news portals and video platforms, which discuss the technical implications of each innovation seen in the pits. Profissionais communications go behind the scenes directly from the paddock at Bahrein to bring you exclusive interviews and last-minute information about possible mechanical problems. Essa robustness in the delivery of information ensures that Brasil continues to be one of the most important markets for the global growth of the category.
Complete schedule and times of activities in the desert
- Wednesday (18/02): Início of activities focusing on electronic systems and engine mapping.
- Thursday (19/02): Intermediate Dia aimed at racing simulations and tire tests of different ranges.
- Friday (20/02): Encerramento of tests focusing on maximum performance and pit stop simulations.
Development strategies of the main teams
Top teams tend to hide their game during much of the testing, using heavier fuel loads to mask their true speed. Esse phenomenon, known as “sandbagging”, is a common practice to prevent rivals from copying aerodynamic solutions prematurely. Entretanto, the GPS data available to the teams reveals where each car gains or loses time in corners, allowing for rigorous internal analysis.
Reliability is the central pillar of this second round, as any breakdown now means lost valuable time that cannot be recovered until the first official free practice. Diretores Technicians constantly monitor telemetry for anomalies that could suggest materials fatigue or overheating. Success in this preparatory phase directly reflects on the confidence that the driver will have when attacking the curbs in the search for pole position in a few days’ time.
Physical and mental preparation of drivers for the season
The pilots face considerable physical exhaustion due to the high temperatures and lateral G forces imposed by the Bahraini route. The pre-season also serves as a period of physiological readaptation to the intense rhythm of riding after the winter break. Cada completed turn helps to strengthen the neck muscles and refine the reflexes necessary to operate the complex steering systems at high speeds.
In addition to the physical aspect, rapport with the new track engineers is essential for clear communication during moments of pressure. The technical feedback provided by the driver guides the entire development path that the team will follow over the next few months of competition. A relationship of trust established in the Sakhir pits can be the difference for winning strategic decisions during the stages of the world calendar.
Importance of data collected for factories in Europa
As the cars accelerate on the asphalt of Bahrein, thousands of data points are instantly transmitted to the team headquarters at Europa. Supercomputadores processes this information to validate correlations between wind tunnel testing and actual on-track performance. If reality diverges from computer simulations, engineers must work double shifts to correct design flaws as quickly as possible.
This technological bridge between the desert and the factory allows new parts to be produced and sent to the circuit in a matter of hours. Fórmula 1’s logistics are a precise process involving specialized air transport to ensure updates arrive on time. The efficiency in this quick response process defines which teams will be able to evolve consistently throughout one of the longest seasons in history.
Rules for using limited tires and components
Pirelli provides a specific range of tires for testing, allowing teams to experiment with all available grip levels. Managing these sets of tires is vital so that the testing program is not interrupted due to a lack of new rubber at crucial moments. Além Furthermore, parc fermé rules do not apply during pre-season, giving complete freedom for radical changes to vehicle configuration.
The use of power unit components is also monitored, although there are not the same severe restrictions as in official racing. Automakers take the opportunity to push engines to the limit of thermal stress, testing different energy delivery and recovery maps for hybrid systems. Esse accumulated knowledge protects the million-dollar investment made in the development of propulsion technologies that equip modern cars in the category.
Expectations for the official opening of the world championship
The conclusion of this week of testing will set the stage for the first Grande Prêmio, eliminating the main doubts about the potential of each car. Brazilian fans, now with new options for following the Grupo Globo, are waiting to see if the balance of forces will be maintained or if there will be surprises on the grid. The Fórmula 1 enters its hottest phase, where every technical detail can mean the difference between the podium and the middle of the pack.
With the final flag of the pre-season, the experimentation cycle ends and the countdown to the actual competition begins. The Bahrein will continue to be the center of attention, consolidating itself as the stage where the season comes to life and the first track rivalries begin to form. The journey that begins in Sakhir will pass through several continents, but the foundations of all success are built in these days of hard work under the desert sun.
