Formula 1 begins its final preparations for the 2026 season with two official pre‑season test weeks at the Bahrain International Circuit, following a private shakedown in Barcelona. All 11 teams will take part across six days of running in Sakhir.
Test dates
Test One: Wednesday 11 – Friday 13 February
Test Two: Wednesday 18 – Friday 20 February
Sky Sports coverage
Sky Sports F1 will be on site in Bahrain for both test weeks and will offer live coverage, nightly shows and daily updates.
Test One (11–13 February)
– Live: Sky Sports F1 will show the final hour of each afternoon session live (UK time 15:00–16:00).
– 20:00: Testing Wrap — nightly highlights and key paddock interviews.
– 20:30: Ted’s Testing Notebook — Ted Kravitz’s analysis of the day’s running.
– Daily: A live blog on skysports.com and the Sky Sports app will run from 07:00 with lap times, track updates and video clips. Craig Slater will bring additional reports on Sky Sports News.
Test Two (18–20 February)
– Full live coverage each day:
– Morning session live: 06:50–11:05 (UK time)
– Afternoon session live: 11:55–16:10 (UK time)
– 20:00 nightly Testing Wrap.
– Daily live blog and app updates with lap times, clips and on‑the‑ground reporting.
About Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain is a regular test venue and a long‑standing race circuit on the F1 calendar. The 15‑corner, 3.36‑mile layout combines long straights, low‑to‑medium speed corners and heavy braking zones, offering a useful assessment of tyre wear and car balance. Wind can influence running, and the circuit’s floodlights permit cooler evening laps.
Weather in Sakhir
February in Sakhir is typically dry and warm. Expect daytime temperatures in the low‑to‑mid 20s°C with a low chance of rain, so teams should be able to complete unrestricted running across the six test days.
How to watch or stream Sky Sports F1 in the UK and Ireland
– If you have Sky: Watch live on the Sky Sports F1 channel on TV or stream via the Sky Sports app.
– If you don’t have Sky: Stream with NOW Day or Month passes (contract‑free). You can also follow the live blog on skysports.com for lap‑by‑lap updates and watch highlights and clips for free in the Sky Sports app.
How to watch Sky Sports F1 on mobile with the Sky Sports app
1. Download or open the Sky Sports app.
2. Go to the ‘Watch’ section when coverage is on air.
3. Select Sky Sports F1.
4. Sign in with your Sky iD (one‑time sign‑in).
What is NOW?
NOW is a contract‑free streaming service that provides access to all Sky Sports channels and additional Sky Sports+ streams on many devices. Membership is available via Day or Month passes and can be cancelled anytime.
Additional notes
Sky Sports will provide nightly Testing Wrap shows, daily live blogs and in‑depth reporting throughout both test weeks as teams finalise setups ahead of the 24‑race 2026 season, which begins with the Australian Grand Prix on 6–8 March.