This is the live blog for Day 3 of the winter test in Bahrain on Friday, 13 February 2026. Read everything about what happened on and around the track, with GPblog reporter Nicole Mulder present on site.

The fastest lap times from the first testing week in Bahrain ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign have been revealed. Following a private test held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya last month, F1 teams returned to the track this week at the Bahrain International Circuit.

After facing suspension struggles on Day 1, Mercedes faced another setback as they had to change a power unit, restricting Kimi Antonelli to just three laps on Day 2.

Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time of day three and the entire first Bahrain pre-season test. After George Russell was the quickest during the morning session, in the afternoon, his Italian teammate managed to improve further.