Franco Colapinto participated in the initial practice session of Formula 1 at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain, aiming to refine his skills and setup in preparation for the 2026 season. During the session, Colapinto, driving for Alpine, faced significant mechanical difficulties when his car came to a halt at the entrance of Turn 8, prompting a red flag. This halted the session temporarily as the team worked to diagnose the problems.

The Argentine driver had previously tested his new A526 car, equipped with a Mercedes engine, in Barcelona a few weeks before this event, but the Bahrain session did not go as planned. Despite multiple attempts to restart his vehicle after it stopped, a crane was ultimately needed to retrieve the car and bring it back to the team's garage. The session resumed after approximately ten minutes of downtime, but Colapinto's issues meant that he finished the practice session in 11th place, indicating room for improvement heading into the new season.

The implications of Colapinto's performance in Bahrain are noteworthy, as they highlight the challenges that can arise during preseason testing in Formula 1. As teams fine-tune their cars and prepare for the competitive landscape of the upcoming season, reliability and performance during these test sessions are crucial for gaining valuable insights. Colapinto's experience in Bahrain will provide essential feedback to his team as they aim to address the issues encountered and ensure a stronger showing in the races to come.