Early signs show 2026 F1 cars not dramatically slower than their predecessors

Overall, the 2026 cars have shown they are not miles off the pace compared to the previous generation as widely feared.

2026 cars already narrowing the gap to previous F1 generation

On the final day of the six-day testing programme in Bahrain, Leclerc, at the wheel of his SF-26, finally lifted the curtain, offering a first glimpse of the potential the 2026 cars are capable of showing — even if, as always with testing, the lap times must be taken with a degree of caution, as fuel loads and engine modes are unknown.

A 1:31.992 lap on C4 tyres was enough for the Monegasque to set the fastest time overall, finishing eight tenths clear of the second-best effort — a 1:32.803 posted by Kimi Antonelli.

Last year, meanwhile, Carlos Sainz set the outright fastest time on Day 2 with a 1:29.348, a lap that ultimately proved half a second quicker than the 2025 pole time, meaning Leclerc’s benchmark was just over 2.5 seconds slower than the Spaniard’s effort in similar track conditions.

Photo: Race Pictures

Looking at the gap comparison between last year’s Bahrain testing and this year’s figures, it is interesting to note how Ferrari, Audi, Haas and McLaren appear broadly aligned in terms of performance loss, with the gap beginning to increase from Mercedes onwards.

The W17 was in fact around 3.2 seconds slower than its 2025 predecessor, while Red Bull recorded a deficit of roughly 3.5 seconds.

Williams experienced a significant step backwards, approaching a five-second gap, with Aston Martin trailing by nearly six seconds. The comparison is obviously not possible for Cadillac, having joined the grid as the eleventh team only this year and therefore lacking any previous benchmark lap times.

It should, however, be stressed that teams followed very different programmes this year, with some not pursuing outright qualifying runs.

As a result, the comparison should be viewed as purely indicative rather than a fully accurate reflection of the true performance gaps between the two seasons.

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