George Russell Sets Fastest Times in F1 Pre-Season Testing Across Barcelona and Bahrain

Russell Shines in Pre-Season Testing Across Barcelona and Bahrain

George Russell, driving for Mercedes, recorded the fastest lap times in various sessions during recent Formula 1 pre-season testing held in Barcelona and Bahrain. The testing periods saw teams evaluate their new vehicles, with lap times improving over sessions and several drivers facing technical challenges or completing extensive mileage.

Barcelona Pre-Season Testing Highlights

During a pre-season testing session in Barcelona, George Russell achieved the fastest overall lap time of 1:16.445s in the afternoon session, completing 77 laps for Mercedes. This marked a significant milestone.

This marked the first instance a driver posted a lap time in the 1:16s range.

Earlier in the day, his team-mate Kimi Antonelli had set the morning's fastest benchmark with a 1:17.081s lap, completing 90 laps. Mercedes accumulated a total of 499 laps across the three days of testing, showcasing their extensive evaluation efforts.

Oscar Piastri of McLaren registered the fourth quickest time, though his afternoon running was curtailed by a fuel system issue. Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton collectively completed 174 laps, both recording times in the 1:18s range. Lance Stroll of Aston Martin completed four laps.

Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Rounds

George Russell concluded the first day of the second 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain with the fastest time at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Russell set a leading lap of 1m 33.459s, showcasing strong early pace.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari had initially recorded the fastest lap during the morning session at 1m 33.739s, before lap times decreased through the afternoon. Russell was followed by Oscar Piastri of McLaren and Charles Leclerc on the timesheets.

All teams, with the exception of Red Bull, changed drivers before the day's second session. Isack Hadjar remained at the wheel of the RB22 for Red Bull, having experienced limited track time in the morning due to car-related work.

In a morning session on the third day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, George Russell, driving for Mercedes, achieved the fastest lap time once again.

Russell was followed by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the timesheets in this decisive morning session.

Lewis Hamilton began the Day 3 proceedings in the Ferrari, succeeding Charles Leclerc, who had set the pace during his session on a preceding Thursday. Most cars commenced their runs early, with Lance Stroll being the last driver to take to the track in the Aston Martin. Teams continued their evaluation of new vehicles under current technical regulations. Observations included several cars equipped with aero rakes or flow-vis paint during their initial runs, indicating detailed aerodynamic data collection.