F1 testing 2026 live: Leclerc quicker than Norris on day one of final Bahrain test

Formula 1 has announced a six-year “rotational” contract for a grand prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in the next phase of the sport’s expansion strategy.

F1 announced last year that the famous Spa-Francorchamps will host a grand prix once every two years from 2027 to 2031, and now the Belgian Grand Prix’s rotational partner has been confirmed.

Barcelona’s future as a host venue had been in doubt, given F1 will host an annual street race in Madrid from this September. However, after major renovation to the site, the newly titled Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will take place in 2028, 2030 and 2032 in rotation with Spa.

Full details below:

Here’s the full leaderboard with Leclerc setting a time just one-tenth of a second slower than the quickest time of last week’s test, set by Kimi Antonelli

1. Charles Leclerc - 1:33:739 (70 laps)

2. Lando Norris +0.313 (54 laps)

3. Kimi Antonelli - +0.419 (69 laps)

4. Alex Albon +1.951 (55 laps)

5. Pierre Gasly +2.159 (61 laps)

6. Isack Hadjar +2.449 (13 laps)

7. Esteban Ocon +2.679 (65 laps)

8. Fernando Alonso +2.797 (28 laps)

9. Nico Hulkenberg +3.002 (49 laps)

10. Arvid Lindblad+3.030 (75 laps)

11. Sergio Perez +4.452 (24 laps)

Sergio Perez, Kimi Antonelli and Lando Norris all attempt a few practice starts on their own accord on the grid, with the loud revving of the engines for 10 seconds or so before they all get away.

Fortunately, no repeat of the farcical scenes from last week.

No recent changes at the top of the timesheet, with just 10 minutes to go until the lunch break.

Top-5:

1. Charles Leclerc - 1:33:739

2. Lando Norris +0.313

3. Kimi Antonelli +0.419

4. Alex Albon +1.951

5. Pierre Gasly +2.159

A smooth running for most teams on track this morning - but what’s happening in the boardroom?

All 11 teams are meeting with the FIA this morning to discuss the myriad of issues - including race starts, lift and coast and overtake mode - ahead of the new season.

I wonder if we’ll get any big changes...

For the first time, F1 has introduced dynamically adjustable angles for the front and rear wings, changing automatically depending on whether the driver is on a straight or in a corner.

The wings will open (reducing drag) on the straights and close (increasing downforce) in the corners, with the cars operating in X (straight) mode or Z (corner) mode respectively. It is hoped this will maximise the full usage of the car’s power through greater on-track grip.

Overall, downforce has been reduced by 15-30% for 2026, as a result of the cars losing the ground-effect floor tunnels used in the 2022-2025 regulation cycle.

The Red Bull driver has been in the garage for more than 90 minutes now and has registered just 13 laps this morning - the least of any driver.

Sergio Perez has now completed 17, while Arvid Lindblad leads the way on 58.