F1 Testing 2026 – Day 3
About this episode
The final day of F1 testing in Bahrain has sparked intense rivalries and speculation among teams and drivers, with Mercedes topping the timesheets. Matt and Tommy dive into the drama, discussing Mercedes' potential pace and the contrasting strategies of top teams like Ferrari and Red Bull. They also explore Lando Norris's cheeky comments about Max Verstappen's dissatisfaction with the new regulations, highlighting the ongoing debate about the direction of Formula One. With tensions high and opinions flying, the episode captures the excitement and uncertainty as the season approaches.
A few teams are arguing with each other, drivers fear that this regulations set could be a disaster for racing… Just another day in 2026 F1 testing! Join us as we react to the final day from this round of Bahrain testing.
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Mercedes-Benz
"But for this podcast, we are going to talk about a Mercedes-Benz because that is what happened."
Mercedes-Benz is a famous car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars and trucks. They are known for high-quality vehicles and advanced technology.
Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand known for luxury vehicles, buses, and trucks. It is one of the oldest automotive brands in the world and is recognized for its engineering excellence and innovation.
fastest lap
"Antonelli, Tommy's champion prediction, topping the times with the fastest lap we have seen, I believe, the entire week."
The fastest lap is the quickest time a driver completes one lap of the race track. Drivers often try to achieve this to show their speed and skill.
The fastest lap in racing refers to the quickest time recorded for a single lap during a race. It is often a point of competition among drivers and can earn additional championship points in some racing series.
McLaren
"...the top four is not in some order. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull, that seems quite sure..."
McLaren is a British car brand that makes high-speed sports cars and is also famous for its Formula One racing team.
McLaren is a British automotive manufacturer known for producing high-performance sports cars and its successful Formula One racing team.
Red Bull
"...the top four is not in some order. Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull, that seems quite sure..."
Red Bull is a company that makes energy drinks, and they also have a Formula One racing team that competes in races around the world.
Red Bull Racing is a Formula One team known for its competitive performance and innovative engineering, backed by the energy drink company Red Bull.
Formula One
"...the four powerhouses of Formula One, but they've got different engines between them..."
Formula One is a type of car racing where very fast cars compete on tracks around the world, and it's known for its exciting races and technology.
Formula One is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, known for its fast cars, advanced technology, and global competitions.
Formula 1
"...Ferrari. Then Mercedes is saying, oh, actually, it's Red Bull. Max Verstappen came out and said..."
Formula 1 is a type of car racing that features very fast cars and is held all over the world.
Formula 1 is the highest class of international auto racing for single-seater formula racing cars, known for its speed and technology.
V12 engine
"...If Max was in charge, we'd have V12 engines. We'd be racing at the old Hockenheim again..."
A V12 engine is a type of car engine that has twelve cylinders arranged in a V shape. These engines are powerful and provide a smooth driving experience, often used in sports and luxury cars.
A V12 engine is a twelve-cylinder engine arranged in a V configuration. It is known for its smooth operation and high power output, often found in high-performance and luxury vehicles.
battery
"...the battery, that's not kind of elite motorsport, is it? No, and I don't want to see overtaking done..."
A battery in racing is what stores energy to power the car. In electric cars, how much energy the battery has can affect how fast the car goes and how long it can race.
In the context of motorsport, particularly in electric racing, the battery refers to the energy storage system that powers the vehicle's electric motors. The capacity and management of the battery can significantly influence performance and strategy during a race.
DRS
"...I don't want to see overtaking done. I mean, we've spoken about DRS passes. It's going to be 10 times worse if the only thing we're..."
DRS is a system in Formula One cars that helps them go faster by changing the rear wing's position. This makes it easier for drivers to pass each other during races.
DRS stands for Drag Reduction System, a technology used in Formula One that allows drivers to reduce aerodynamic drag by adjusting the angle of their rear wing. This system is activated under specific conditions to facilitate overtaking, making races more exciting.
EVs
"...there was obviously a huge push on EVs from the EU. And that was a big part for the likes of Audi to come in."
EVs are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They are better for the environment and are becoming more common.
EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars powered entirely by electricity instead of traditional gasoline or diesel engines. They are becoming increasingly popular due to environmental concerns and advancements in battery technology.
Audi
"...a big part for the likes of Audi to come in. So that's got to be a consideration."
Audi is a car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars and is working on electric vehicles.
Audi is a German automotive manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and advanced technology, including electric vehicles (EVs).
Nord Schleifer
"...Verstappen is welcome to go to the Nord Schleifer, I guess."
The Nordschleife is a famous racetrack in Germany that is very difficult and is known for its long and twisty roads. Many car companies test their cars there.
The Nordschleife, often referred to as the 'Green Hell,' is a famous racetrack in Germany known for its challenging layout and long length. It is part of the Nürburgring and is used for both racing and testing high-performance cars.
revving
"...they are revving so much, it sounds like the engine is about to explode. They are revving for so long. And then basically they drive away..."
Revving is when you press the gas pedal to make the engine go faster, creating a loud noise. It's something drivers do to get ready to start racing.
Revving refers to increasing the engine speed by pressing the accelerator, which produces a higher pitch sound. It's often done to warm up the engine or prepare for a race start.
formation lap
"...the clutch is in. So essentially, when they're not going around and doing the formation lap. So that's the reason it's not like they could do it on the lap..."
A formation lap is a practice lap that happens before the race starts. It helps drivers get ready and check that their cars are working well.
A formation lap is a preliminary lap that drivers complete before the actual race starts. It allows drivers to warm up their tires and brakes while also ensuring that their cars are functioning properly before the race begins.
throttle
"...including overloading the throttle."
The throttle is a part of the car that helps control how much power the engine gets. When you press the gas pedal, you're opening the throttle to let more air and fuel in, making the car go faster.
The throttle is a component in a vehicle that controls the amount of air and fuel entering the engine, which in turn regulates the engine's power output. In modern vehicles, the throttle is often electronically controlled, allowing for more precise management of engine performance.
traction control
"...in the past that have been controversial. Traction control is one where that got introduced"
Traction control is a system in cars that helps prevent the wheels from spinning too much when you accelerate. It makes driving safer, especially on wet or slippery roads.
Traction control is a technology used in vehicles to prevent wheel spin during acceleration by adjusting engine power or applying brakes to individual wheels. It helps maintain grip and stability, especially in slippery conditions.
hybrid engines
"...especially since the hybrid engines have come in. Drivers have had to manage a lot in the car..."
Hybrid engines are car engines that use both gasoline and electricity to run. This helps the car use less fuel and produce less pollution while still being powerful.
Hybrid engines combine a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor, allowing for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. In Formula One, these engines also enhance performance through energy recovery systems.
overtake mode
"but the reason why I was saying it is because how am I going to know if someone's got overtake mode when I'm watching at a track? This was something that Ted and Andrew were speaking again."
Overtake mode is a special setting in racing cars that gives them extra power for a short time. Drivers use it to try to pass other cars during a race.
Overtake mode is a feature in some racing series that allows drivers to temporarily boost their car's performance, usually by providing additional power or reducing weight. This is typically used strategically during a race to gain an advantage over competitors.
Formula E
"That's Formula E. We're turning into Formula E with attack mode and everything else. It's crazy."
Formula E is a racing series where all the cars are electric. They race on city streets and focus on using clean energy and technology.
Formula E is a class of motorsport that uses only electric-powered cars, featuring races on street circuits in major cities around the world. It emphasizes sustainability and innovation in electric vehicle technology.
IndyCar push to pass system
"because when these regulations got announced, I was all for this because I think the IndyCar push to pass system is a great idea in theory because you can use it"
The push to pass system in IndyCar lets drivers get extra power for a short time to help them pass other cars. It makes the races more exciting.
The IndyCar push to pass system allows drivers to temporarily increase their engine power to aid in overtaking other cars during a race. This feature is designed to enhance competition and excitement in the sport.
V10 engines
"...if you go back to V10 engines with sustainable fuels, are they? So like, they're in a bit of a..."
A V10 engine is a type of car engine that has ten cylinders. It's designed for high performance and is often found in fast cars.
V10 engines are internal combustion engines with ten cylinders arranged in a V configuration. They are known for their high performance and are often used in sports cars and racing applications.
overtaking
"...that it could well be pretty impossible to overtake and it's purely reliant on the engine..."
Overtaking is when one car passes another car during a race. It's important for drivers to do this to move up in position and win the race.
Overtaking in racing refers to the act of one car passing another to gain a position. It is a critical skill in motorsport, often requiring strategic timing and positioning to execute successfully.
laps
"...but Mercedes did 127 laps. Hamilton, sorry, Ferrari, 138, McLaren 153..."
A lap in racing is when a car goes all the way around the track once. The more laps a team completes, the better they perform in practice or a race.
In racing, a lap refers to one complete circuit around the track. The number of laps completed can indicate a team's performance during a race or practice session.
Haas
"...Haas, they dropped 138 laps. Again, Haas have been dropping in mileage on mileage on mileage..."
Haas is a car racing team from America that competes in Formula One. They are relatively new to the sport but are trying to make a name for themselves.
Haas F1 Team is an American Formula One team that made its debut in 2016. They are known for being the first American team to compete in Formula One since 1986 and have been working to establish themselves in the sport.
Alpine
"...but still huge amounts of laps for Alpine. For Audi, they did 109..."
Alpine is a car brand from France that competes in Formula One racing. They are trying to grow their reputation in the racing world.
Alpine is a French automotive brand that is part of the Renault group. In Formula One, Alpine competes as a constructor and has been working to build its presence in the sport.
Williams
"...For Audi, they did 109. For Williams, they did a lot of laps. They did 139 laps..."
Williams is a famous racing team in Formula One from Britain. They have been around for a long time and have won many races.
Williams Racing is a British Formula One team with a rich history in the sport. They have won multiple championships and are known for their engineering and innovation in racing.
Cadillac
"...because Cadillac, no, until I like, Cadillac did 99. So I hadn't done my mental maths..."
Cadillac is a luxury car brand from America that makes high-end vehicles. They are known for their stylish and comfortable cars.
Cadillac is an American luxury automobile brand known for its high-end vehicles. While primarily focused on luxury cars, they have also been involved in motorsport in various capacities.
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