Sky F1 has announced that it will only broadcast the final hour of each day’s sessions during the second pre-season test for F1 2026 taking place in Bahrain. This follows last month’s reports that the initial Bahrain test would also feature limited broadcast coverage.
Designed to help teams familiarize themselves with their new cars before the opening event in Australia on March 8, Formula 1’s pre-season schedule has been extended to include three testing sessions. The first of these tests, referred to as ‘Shakedown Week,’ occurred last month at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya but was held behind closed doors.
The upcoming Bahrain tests are scheduled from February 11-13 and 18-20, and Sky F1 will provide live coverage for just one hour each day from 3 PM UK time (6 PM in Bahrain) on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. They will complement this limited coverage with their usual evening roundup shows.
Despite initial hopes for comprehensive live broadcasting during the Bahrain tests, it was reported on January 22 that the first Bahrain test would also be restricted in terms of television coverage. However, it appears that full live coverage will be reinstated for the final test in Bahrain later this month, with the event being open to both fans and media personnel.
Unlike the closed test in Barcelona, where media faced challenges providing updates, the Bahrain tests will allow full access. PlanetF1.com plans to actively report from the ground in Sakhir, ensuring that fans receive timely updates and information directly from the paddock. Their previous experience has been beneficial, as they effectively covered the Barcelona test through a live blog and team updates, keeping fans informed of events as they unfolded.
In addition to on-the-ground coverage, fans can find exclusive insights and information by subscribing to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel and joining their WhatsApp broadcast channel for the latest updates directly from accredited journalists in the F1 paddock. With the upcoming Bahrain tests expected to provide more comprehensive coverage, anticipation is building for what teams will showcase during this critical pre-season period.