Image: from F1 Vegas X@MARCEBLO2
By Open Chronicle Staff | February 12, 2026
SAKHIR, Bahrain – As the second day of Formula 1 pre-season testing unfolded at the Bahrain International Circuit, McLaren’s Lando Norris emerged as the morning’s marathon man, clocking a staggering 64 laps. While McLaren showcased enviable reliability, the paddock was abuzz with the unexpected technical woes plaguing heavyweights Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.
McLaren’s Reliability Masterclass
Lando Norris continued McLaren’s strong start to the 2026 campaign, building on the team’s solid 58-lap opening day. His 64-lap haul during the four-hour morning session provided the Woking-based squad with a wealth of data, signaling that the MCL-series chassis is currently among the most stable on the grid.
Though Charles Leclerc topped the timing sheets for Ferrari with a brisk 1:34.273, besting Norris by half a second, the Briton’s consistent long runs were the primary talking point among engineers.
Red Bull and Mercedes in Crisis Mode?
In stark contrast to McLaren’s smooth sailing, the morning was a nightmare for the reigning champions and the Silver Arrows.
Red Bull’s session was effectively a non-starter for Isack Hadjar. After Max Verstappen handled the bulk of the workload on Wednesday, Hadjar took over the RB22 only to be sidelined by a technical failure after a single installation lap. The team remained tight-lipped about the exact nature of the “technical problem,” but the sight of the Red Bull garage doors shut for most of the morning sent ripples of speculation through the pit lane.
Mercedes fared little better. Rising star Kimi Antonelli managed only three laps before a power unit issue forced him back to the pits. The Brackley-based team spent the remainder of the session investigating the motor fault, leaving them significantly behind in their testing program.
Midfield Gains
With the “Big Two” sidelined, others stepped up to fill the void. Williams’ Alex Albon matched Charles Leclerc’s high-mileage effort with 62 laps, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly recorded a healthy 61.
The session also saw Haas’s Oliver Bearman (55 laps) and Fernando Alonso (55 laps) maintain steady progress. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez, debuting for the newly branded Cadillac team, also completed 55 laps, showing promising initial reliability for the American entry.
The Road Ahead
As the teams head into the afternoon sessions, the pressure is firmly on Red Bull and Mercedes to rectify their mechanical gremlins. In a sport where every kilometer of data is gold, McLaren’s flawless morning has given them a significant early-season advantage in the race to understand the 2026 regulations.