Alex Albon Chasing Energy Gains in Bahrain Test 2026

Formula 1, Sportrik Media – Alex Albon says mastering the energy deployment characteristics of the 2026 power units is the primary area where Williams Racing is still playing catch-up during pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Production delays prevented Williams from running its FW38 at the Barcelona shakedown late last month, while the rest of the Formula 1 grid completed early track mileage. The car instead made its on-track debut during a filming day at Silverstone before appearing publicly on the opening day of the Bahrain Test.

Albon and team-mate Carlos Sainz have completed more than 130 laps across the first two days, focusing on recovering lost preparation time. With the 2026 regulations introducing a radical overhaul of the power unit architecture and a 50:50 energy split between combustion and electrical output, the absence from Barcelona represented a significant data shortfall.

“We’re playing catch-up, but for the most part, we’ve hit the mileage we need to.”

“We are learning a lot. I think there’s no secret: we missed quite a lot of information we would have gotten if we’d done Barcelona.”

“But the run plan, so far, has been constructive. We’ve got a clear goal in mind and we’re just ticking them off.”

Team principal James Vowles had expressed confidence that Virtual Track Testing and simulator programmes helped limit the impact of the missed shakedown. However, Albon acknowledged that much of the grid likely already has a stronger baseline understanding of the new power unit behaviour.

“Obviously, for Carlos and I, we’re still learning the deployment side of things.”

“So, I think most drivers have probably got a good grasp of it, whereas we’re still learning out laps, push laps, and how to harvest battery, how to be efficient with our driving.”

“But we’re enjoying it, to be honest, it’s getting there.”

The first Bahrain test concludes on Friday, with a second three-day session scheduled at the same venue from 18–20 February. How quickly Williams can close the knowledge gap in energy management will be decisive ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season opener.