Alpine revealed Franco Colapinto's schedule for the Bahrain tests

Franco Colapinto will take a new step this week in preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 season. After the first private tests in Barcelona, the Argentine driver will continue with his official tests at Bahrain International Circuit.

In recent hours, Alpine confirmed the work schedule for these tests, which will run until Friday. Colapinto will be the first to go out on track on Wednesday during the morning session, while in the afternoon his teammate Pierre Gasly will take the wheel. Thursday will be an exclusive day for the French driver and on Friday the single-seater will once again be in the hands of the Argentine.

The tests in Bahrain will take place from February 11 to 13 and will have a fixed schedule of two daily sessions. The activity will begin at 4 a.m. (Argentina time) and will continue until 8 a.m., and will then resume between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Unlike what happened in the private tests at the Circuit de Catalunya, these tests will give more track time to the teams and will have partial television coverage. It is planned that the last hour of each day will be broadcast, while the second daily session will have full coverage. In addition, there will be contact with the press: Colapinto will speak on Wednesday at 11 a.m., while Gasly will do so on Thursday and Friday at different times.

The activity in Bahrain won't be the only one before the start of the championship. Formula 1 will return to the same circuit for a second and final round of tests between February 18 and 20, before the official start of the season, which will have its first round from March 6 to 8 with the Australian Grand Prix.

With this schedule, Colapinto is beginning to gain mileage with the new A526 and is facing decisive days in the run-up to a year that will mark his consolidation in the top category.