Twin Setbacks Halt Bahrain Testing as Bottas and Gasly Trigger Back-to-Back Red Flags

The opening test session of the 2026 F1 season in Bahrain was disrupted by two consecutive red flag incidents on its second day. Valtteri Bottas's Cadillac shed a wing mirror while on circuit, while Pierre Gasly's Alpine subsequently came to a halt on track, forcing officials to pause proceedings.

Formula 1

The second day of Formula 1's 2026 Bahrain test proved eventful, albeit not in the way teams would have hoped. Two rapid-fire incidents brought the action to a standstill as officials were forced to deploy the red flag on separate occasions.

The first interruption came when Valtteri Bottas experienced damage to his Cadillac, with the vehicle losing its wing mirror during his run. The detached component necessitated a brief halt to proceedings as marshals worked to clear the circuit.

Scarcely had track activity resumed when another complication emerged. Pierre Gasly found his Alpine unable to continue, bringing the car to a stop on track. The unscheduled stoppage prompted officials to wave the red flag once more, adding to an already challenging day of winter testing.

Such incidents are not uncommon during pre-season evaluations, though consecutive stoppages of this nature can hamper the valuable development time teams desperately seek ahead of the campaign ahead.

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sporting Regulations

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Full Regulation Text

Sporting Regulations

Article 55.1

FIA Source

Red Flag - Race Suspension

Chapter: Chapter V - Safety

In Simple Terms

A red flag stops the race completely. This happens for serious incidents, extreme weather, or unsafe conditions. All cars must slow down immediately and return to the pit lane. The race can restart once conditions improve, with various restart procedures depending on how far the race has gone.

Race completely suspended
Used for serious incidents or extreme conditions
All cars must return to pit lane
Race can restart with different procedures

Official FIA Text

Should it become necessary to suspend the race, the clerk of the course will order red flags to be shown at all marshal posts and the abort lights to be shown at the Line. Simultaneously, all competitors will be notified via the official messaging system and all cars must reduce speed immediately and proceed slowly to the pit lane.

safety carrestart procedurehalf pointsred flagrace suspendedstoppedrestartpit lane

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B4.1.2

FIA Source

LTCS Red Flag Procedure

Chapter: ARTICLE B4: LAP TIME CLASSIFIED SESSIONS

In Simple Terms

If the Race Director needs to stop a race session, red flags are shown at all marshal posts around the track. All drivers must immediately slow down and carefully drive back to the pit lane.

Red flags are displayed at every marshal post to signal a mandatory race stoppage
Drivers must reduce speed immediately upon seeing the red flag
All cars must proceed slowly and safely back to pit lane
The Race Director has sole authority to order a red flag procedure

Official FIA Text

Should it become necessary to stop any LTCS, Race Director will order red flags at all marshal posts. Cars must immediately reduce speed and proceed slowly back to Pit Lane.

red flagrace stoppageltcsmarshal postspit lane

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B1.6.2

FIA Source

General Safety - Stopped Cars

Chapter: ARTICLE B1: ORGANISATION OF A COMPETITION

In Simple Terms

If a car breaks down or stops on the track, the safety marshals will quickly remove it to keep the race safe. Drivers are not allowed to deliberately stop their cars on track unless they have a very good reason, like a mechanical failure.

Marshals must remove stopped cars from the track as quickly as possible
Drivers cannot stop on track without a justifiable reason (mechanical failure, accident damage, etc.)
The rule exists to prevent unnecessary safety hazards and keep the race flowing
Deliberate or unjustified stops on track can result in penalties