When are the 2026 F1 test days?
Formula 1 pre-season testing ahead of the 2026 campaign looks a little different than usual. In recent years, only one three-day test in Bahrain has taken place before the opening round.
However, due to the new power unit regulations being introduced this year, F1 has expanded pre-season testing for all teams.
Three pre-season tests will take place before the opening race in Melbourne, the first taking place across January 26 to January 30 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The five-day test in Barcelona will take place behind-closed-doors, with each team permitted to run across three days. Unfortunately, Williams has announced it will not be taking part.
Each day of running will start at 9am local time (CET) and conclude at 5pm. Daylight dependant, track action could be extended by an hour.
View the schedule for the first week of testing below! The text continues after that.
F1 2026 Barcelona pre-season test schedule
| Session | Date | Local (CET) | GMT | EST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Monday, January 26 | 09:00 - 17:00 | 08:00 - 16:00 | 03:00 - 11:00 |
| Day 2 | Tuesday, January 27 | 09:00 - 17:00 | 08:00 - 16:00 | 03:00 - 11:00 |
| Day 3 | Wednesday, January 28 | 09:00 - 17:00 | 08:00 - 16:00 | 03:00 - 11:00 |
| Day 4 | Thursday, January 29 | 09:00 - 17:00 | 08:00 - 16:00 | 03:00 - 11:00 |
| Day 5 | Friday, January 30 | 09:00 - 17:00 | 08:00 - 16:00 | 03:00 - 11:00 |
Two tests in Bahrain
Following the five-day test in Barcelona, two further three-day tests will take place in Bahrain, at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The first of two tests in Bahrain will take place across February 11 to February 13, while the second test takes place a week later across February 18 to February 20. The second test in Bahrain will represent the third and final test of pre-season testing overall.
In Bahrain, track action for both tests will start each day at 10am local time (AST) and finish at 7pm local time in the evening, with each day to see nine hours of running available.
View the schedule for the second and third weeks of testing below!
F1 2026 Bahrain pre-season tests schedule
| Test | Date | Local (AST) | GMT | EST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test week 1 | Wednesday, February 11 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 07:00 - 16:00 | 02:00 - 11:00 |
| Thursday, February 12 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 07:00 - 16:00 | 02:00 - 11:00 | |
| Friday, February 13 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 07:00 - 16:00 | 02:00 - 11:00 | |
| Test week 2 | Wednesday, February 18 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 07:00 - 16:00 | 02:00 - 11:00 |
| Thursday, February 19 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 07:00 - 16:00 | 02:00 - 11:00 | |
| Friday, February 20 | 10:00 - 19:00 | 07:00 - 16:00 | 02:00 - 11:00 |
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Don't miss out on any of the Formula 1 action thanks to this handy 2026 F1 calendar that can be easily loaded into your smartphone or PC.
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