5 key questions after first pre-season test in Bahrain

The initial F1 pre-season test in Bahrain concluded with Red Bull emerging as a strong contender, their new power unit impressing rivals like George Russell, who found their advantage "scary." Mercedes faced early issues but finished with fast laps, while Ferrari remained discreet about their performance, though showing strength in race starts. Aston Martin, integrating Adrian Newey and a new Honda engine for 2026, admitted to being on the back foot after limited testing mileage and technical niggles. Williams, recovering from production delays, focused on gathering crucial data by completing the most laps despite an overweight car. Meanwhile, new entrant Cadillac made an accomplished testing debut, overcoming initial setbacks to accumulate significant mileage.