Formula 1's new era was always going to bring questions, but its first week of serious running has raised more than most. With one more preseason test in Bahrain still to come, ESPN makes sense of a fascinating three days in Sakhir.

Formula 1 bosses are moving towards a rule change that would close a loophole rivals believe Mercedes have exploited in the sport's new engine rules.

Sandbagging is a term often heard in the opening weeks of a Formula 1 season, specifically during testing sessions. The word is used by teams, drivers, media and fans to describe someone's performance - but what does it actually mean? Sandbagging is when a driver or team intentionally underperforms in their car by slowing it down.

While the FIA has signed off on Mercedes’ 2026 engine, rival teams aren’t happy with how the private test was handled at their factory. The debate around Mercedes’ 2026 engine, built for themselves and customer teams Alpine,

Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian recently fueled romance rumors after attending the 2026 Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium

Follow live updates and analysis of the second week of Formula 1's preseason test in Bahrain as the 2026 cars take to the track.