Carlos Sainz Calls Red Bull ‘A Clear Step’ Ahead in Bahrain 2026

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Carlos Sainz has described Red Bull Racing as “a clear step” ahead of its Formula 1 rivals after analysing GPS data from the opening day of the 2026 Bahrain pre-season test.

Sainz enjoyed a productive return to track action with Williams, which missed the private Barcelona shakedown. The Spaniard completed 77 laps in the morning session before handing the car over to Alex Albon, who added a further 68 laps. In contrast, Max Verstappen logged 136 laps in the RB22 and topped the timesheets for much of the day before being displaced late in the session.

What particularly caught attention was Verstappen’s long-run pace. Under the sweeping 2026 regulatory changes — covering both aerodynamics and power units — Red Bull demonstrated consistent lap times that appeared superior to the field. Even Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff labelled Red Bull the early “benchmark”.

Sainz agreed with that assessment after reviewing GPS traces.

“It’s still extremely early days, but judging by the GPS data of yesterday, right now it is true that whatever Red Bull Ford Powertrains were doing yesterday was a clear step ahead of anyone else. A clear step. Not a small step, but a clear step,” Sainz said.

“It was mighty impressive. If they turn up to race one with a completely new set of regulations, a completely new engine, new people, and have the fastest and most reliable engine, you will have to take your hat off to them.”

The 2026 season marks Red Bull’s first campaign as a full power unit manufacturer through its in-house division, working in technical partnership with Ford. The integration of the new engine package with the RB22 chassis is a critical component of its early competitive advantage, particularly under the 50-50 combustion-to-electrical power split.

For Williams, the focus remains on catching up after what Sainz described as a “bump in the road” during the winter development phase.

“Obviously, I’m not going to hide away from the fact that I would have loved to have been in Barcelona to get those three days and a head start,” he said.

“During the winter, we faced some issues we didn’t expect as a team, and we had to readapt our plan. To then arrive in Bahrain and have a smooth day sends the message that we did it for a reason and that now we are running smoothly and trying to catch up.”

While competitive order in testing must always be interpreted with caution due to differing fuel loads and programmes, early GPS indicators suggest Red Bull has begun the 2026 regulation cycle with a measurable performance edge — one that rivals will aim to close before the season opener in Australia.