Every part it is advisable to find out about attending 2026 Method 1 pre-season testing at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit
Two pre-season checks will happen in Bahrain forward of the 2026 F1 season, on February 11-13 and February 18-20
This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks. We could obtain a fee in case you make a purchase order after clicking on one among these hyperlinks
With new technical rules coming into power forward of the 2026 Method 1 season, it’s been confirmed that two three-day check periods will likely be held at Bahrain Worldwide Circuit. These checks in Bahrain will happen in February 2026, following a non-public check at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain on January 26-30. The 2026 F1 season begins in Australia on March 5-8, earlier than Method 1 returns to Bahrain on April 10-12 for the fourth race of the brand new season.
It’s already confirmed that the second of the 2 pre-season checks in Bahrain (on February 18-20) will likely be open to the general public. Followers who bought discounted early-bird tickets for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix earlier than September 7 additionally obtained free entry to the pre-season check. It’s not but been introduced if the primary pre-season check in Bahrain on February 11-13 may also be open to the general public. Tickets aren’t but on sale for both of the pre-season check periods in Bahrain, however in recent times, reasonably priced entry has been made obtainable for round $30 USD per day (solely the Important Grandstand was open, nonetheless). Circuit hospitality suites above the pits are additionally additionally anticipated to be obtainable for buy. This was priced at $1,449 USD per day throughout 2025 testing.
Why Attend Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain?
Attending F1 pre-season testing will place you among the many first folks on this planet to see the brand new technology of 2026 Method 1 vehicles on monitor! In fact, it’s referred to as testing for a cause. Not all of the vehicles will likely be on monitor for the entire eight hours of every day’s working. Some vehicles could endure reliability points which maintain them consigned to their garages. Not all the huge title drivers will likely be taking to the monitor in every session, although most groups alternate their full-time drivers between the morning and afternoon periods. Whereas not each lap will likely be taken at full pace or on the restrict of the automobile’s capabilities, F1 testing is a good alternative to get near the vehicles, groups and drivers in a relaxed atmosphere. In case you can’t make it to the monitor for testing, you’ll nonetheless be capable to observe all three days of motion stay throughout F1 TV and by way of F1’s world TV companions.
BIC Hospitality Lounge & Oasis Terrace
Hospitality tickets are bought with entry to a lounge above the pits with a viewing balcony, in addition to entry to the Oasis Terrace at Flip 10. Having skilled the Oasis Terrace firsthand (it’s additionally a part of Paddock Membership provide in the course of the Bahrain GP), we will safely say that this space – pictured under – is likely one of the calendar’s best-kept trackside viewing secrets and techniques. Extremely beneficial for getting near the vehicles, particularly in case you like taking pictures.
F1 Pre-Season Testing Schedule
Begin and end occasions haven’t but been confirmed for the 2 pre-season check periods in Bahrain forward of the 2026 F1 season. An instance of a earlier schedule for F1 testing in Bahrain is listed under for data functions:
11:00: Gates Open
10:00-14:00: Method 1 – Testing
14:00-15:00: Break with hospitality pit lane stroll
15:00-19:00: Method 1 – Testing
19:00: Gates Shut
Attending F1 Testing & the Bahrain Grand Prix
In case you’ve obtained the time, attending each F1 testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix is a good way to immerse your self on this planet of Method 1 because the season will get underway. It’s extra logistically difficult to do this in 2026 nonetheless, until you reside regionally. Fairly than the Bahrain Grand Prix following one week after testing (which it did till 2024), it should as soon as once more be the fourth race of the brand new season some six weeks later. After the ultimate check session in Bahrain (February 18-20), the 2026 F1 season kicks off with races in Australia (March 5-8), China (March 13-15) and Japan (March 27-29) earlier than returning seven weeks later for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix (April 10-12).
Race weekend attendances on the Bahrain Grand Prix have been rising in recent times, although it’s nonetheless one of many lowest attended races on your entire F1 calendar, and even much less folks will likely be trackside on the check periods. F1 Experiences packages are actually on sale for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix, and race tickets are anticipated to go on sale quickly. Organizational points and prolonged queues that followers expertise at many higher attended races just isn’t a priority on the Bahrain Grand Prix, the place it’s straightforward to get to the circuit, you should purchase moderately priced tickets and lodging, and the racing below lights is often shut and thrilling.
