Final F1 2026 testing session in Bahrain set to be overshadowed by safety concerns

Explained: In addition to the engine row, a new issue over race starts will be a key topic at an F1 Commission meeting on Wednesday, as well as ‘lift and coast’ procedures and the new ‘overtake’ mode F1Final F1 2026 testing session in Bahrain set to be overshadowed by safety concernsExplained: In addition to the engine row, a new issue over race starts will be a key topic at an F1 Commission meeting on Wednesday, as well as ‘lift and coast’ procedures and the new ‘overtake’ modeKieran Jackson Formula 1 Correspondent Tuesday 17 February 2026 13:36 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverF1 2026 rules explained: What is overtake mode, active aero and where is DRS?Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreAll 11 F1 teams will meet with the FIA on Wednesday, with several concerns in need of clarification just a fortnight out from the new 2026 season. This year’s new engine and chassis regulations and the impact they have had on the 2026 cars, to mixed reviews, have created a number of issues for teams and drivers as the final pre-season test begins in Bahrain on Wednesday.In addition to the engine compression row which has been circling for a number of months, a fresh safety concern regarding race starts has broken out, after a practice start at the end of last week’s test saw multiple cars struggle to move off the line in worrying scenes. The new engines need to be revved to build up turbo boost pressure and minimise turbo-lag, resulting in some drivers revving hard for more than ten seconds. The current start procedure, which sees five red lights blink at one-second intervals before all five vanish, would not provide enough time for drivers at the back of the grid to prepare their turbo in time.McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has implored the sport to find a solution before the season-opener in Australia on 8 March, due to the potential for dangerous collisions on the grid if one or several cars fail to move off the line. RecommendedRed Bull’s chief F1 designer leaves team – two weeks before 2026 seasonFerrari F1 boss gives snappy response over Lewis Hamilton situation: ‘Stop this story!’McLaren F1 boss calls for three rule changes due to 2026 car safety concerns"We need to make sure that the race start procedure allows all cars to have the power unit ready to go because the grid is not the place in which you want to have cars slow in taking off the grid,” Stella said. "This is of bigger interest than any competitive interest. I think all teams and the FIA should play the game of responsibility when it comes to what is needed in terms of race start procedure. I'm thinking about the timings, for instance, the timing of the lights, the timing before the lights."They need to be in the right place to make sure that, first of all, it's a safe phase of the way we go racing."However, Ferrari are the only engine manufacturer not in favour of any rule change. Motorsport outlet The Race details that Lewis Hamilton’s team have already blocked one proposal, and could reject future solutions on the table, as they feel every team was aware of the challenges posed by turbo lag. As such, it infers that Ferrari believe they have a competitive advantage with the way they built their power unit and the potential to be quicker off the line than their competitors. Mercedes driver George Russell hinted as such, saying on Friday: “I think Ferrari seem to be able to run higher gears than other manufacturers, which probably suggests they’ve got a smaller turbo than other manufacturers. open image in galleryLewis Hamilton’s Ferrari team have eyed an advantage at race starts over competitors (Getty)“So maybe they’re in a slightly easier position for their race starts.” Yet Ferrari’s prowess in this field is not yet confirmed – and won’t be until the lights go out in Melbourne. But it is not the only safety-related concern set to be discussed tomorrow. Stella also outlined his concerns over the controversial ‘lift and coast’ being implemented at the end of straights, where drivers take their foot off the accelerator to recharge the battery. "There could be cars that follow another car and the car ahead may want to lift to harvest [energy],” he said. "This may not be an ideal situation w