Norris Fastest as Ferrari Unveils New Wing in F1 Testing

Lando Norris of McLaren set the fastest lap time during Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday, February 19, 2026, clocking a 1m33.453s. This put him ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull by a mere 0.131s. The morning session also saw Ferrari unveil a striking new rear wing design.

Innovative Design and Early Pace

Norris’s lap time, achieved on C3 compound tires, was 0.006s faster than the previous best set by George Russell of Mercedes the prior afternoon. Ferrari’s innovative rear wing, capable of rotating 180 degrees, immediately drew attention. The design, permitted under new active aero rules, functioned by reverting to a standard position during braking.

Did You Know? Ferrari’s new rear wing design rotated 180-degrees, a feature allowed under Formula 1’s new active aero rules.

Challenges for Ferrari and Other Teams

However, Ferrari’s promising start was quickly hampered by a chassis issue that limited Lewis Hamilton to just five laps. He was able to return briefly to participate in FIA race control systems checks and practice starts. While most teams focused on longer race simulations, Norris maintained the fastest time for McLaren.

George Russell secured third place for Mercedes, completing a significant 77 laps. Alex Albon of Williams followed in fourth, also achieving a high lap count with 71 laps completed. Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi managed fifth place despite being limited to 29 laps due to a hydraulics issue.

Further Down the Timesheet

Oliver Bearman of Haas finished sixth, while Franco Colapinto of Alpine took seventh. Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls was eighth, completing only 27 laps after a period in the garage. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin finished ninth, four seconds off Norris’s pace. Valtteri Bottas of Cadillac rounded out the runners in tenth, completing 58 laps after experiencing early technical difficulties.

Expert Insight: The early testing results suggest a competitive field, with multiple teams demonstrating strong pace and reliability. However, the limited running for some teams, particularly Ferrari, indicates that further development and refinement will be crucial before the start of the season.

F1 Bahrain pre-season test – Day 5 morning results

Pos	Driver	Team	Best lap	Gap	Laps
1	Lando Norris	McLaren	1m33.453s	—	72
2	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1m33.584s	+0.131s	56
3	George Russell	Mercedes	1m34.111s	+0.658s	77
4	Alex Albon	Williams	1m35.130s	+1.677s	71
5	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	1m35.263s	+1.810s	29
6	Oliver Bearman	Haas	1m35.279s	+1.826s	69
7	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	1m35.506s	+2.053s	54
8	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	1m36.959s	+3.506s	27
9	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	1m37.472s	+4.019s	40
10	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	1m39.670s	+6.217s	5
11	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	1m40.193s	+6.740s	58

Frequently Asked Questions

What driver set the fastest lap time during the morning session?

Lando Norris of McLaren set the fastest lap time with a 1m33.453s.

What innovative feature did Ferrari debut during testing?

Ferrari debuted a new rear wing design that was capable of rotating 180 degrees.

Which driver experienced technical issues limiting their track time?

Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari was limited to only five laps due to an unspecified chassis issue.

As teams continue to refine their setups and address early-season challenges, what impact will these initial testing results have on the competitive landscape of the upcoming Formula 1 season?