That's all for today as the final day of testing comes to a close!

It was a busy few days to say the least, but it was Ferrari's Charles Leclerc who was the fastest today with a time of 1:31.992.

Lando Norris only appeared on track for the final two hours but managed to pop his McLaren into second, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen rounded out the top three.

We will be back bright and early to take you through first practice of the Australian Grand Prix on 6 March.

See you then!

That was exciting, even though it was just a practice and not the real thing!

Mercedes' George Russell was first off the line and defended Ferrari's Charles Leclerc from making a lunge into the first corner.

The drivers have just been on another formation lap and are now heading to the grid for a practice race restart.

Everyone is out on the pit wall to watch the action!

Lando Norris (McLaren) - 47

George Russell (Mercedes) - 82

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 65

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 132

Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 141

Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 165 (record for most laps completed)

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 6

Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 118

Oliver Bearman (Haas) - 88

Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 71

Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 38

1) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:32.992

2) Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.879

3) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +1.117

4) George Russell (Mercedes) +1.205

5) Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1.429

Lots of practice pit stops taking place now, with Max Verstappen the latest car to come in.

These procedures are just as important to the team and drivers and is an opportunity to make sure everything is running smooth.

We've got less than 15 minutes to go and Charles Leclerc is out on the track but hasn't been able to improve on his time.

Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas has been fairly quiet this session, banking 37 laps this afternoon.

Arvid Lindblad has broken the record for the most laps completed in a Bahrain testing day.

The Brit teenage has banked a huge 162 laps in his Racing Bull.

This will have been a great opportunity for the rookie to get some experience in the new car before his debut Grand Prix in a couple of weeks' time.

Image source, Getty Images

Luke, Vlissingen: If it is indeed the case that Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren are in their own league, that wouldn't be the end of the world. A four team fight is still a lot better than we've had in some recent years.

Charlie, UK: Hamilton and Leclerc for the world championship this year… now that would be epic!

Ishan, London: This may be a long season for Aston Martin if they can't figure out the car before Bahrain.

Image source, Getty Images

There has been a lot of talk about the start procedure under these 2026 regulations, so today will be the final chance the FIA has to make any tweaks around the race start before the opener in Melbourne in two weeks' time.

With the balance of the new power unit a near 50-50 split between electric and combustion power - and the MGU-H removed - drivers must now hold high revs in advance to build pressure for a clean getaway.

There have been some concerns we could see a chaotic start to the Australian Grand Prix next month, but yesterday's tests went fairly smoothly. So, 10 minutes before the end of each session, this is what is going to happen:

• Red flag shown and all cars return to the pit lane
• Cars complete a formation lap, followed by an additional formation lap, before heading to the grid for a simulated race start
• Once all cars are in position, new pre-start warning begins: all grid panels will flash blue for five seconds.
• After blue warning ends, usual start sequence will begin

Alpine's Pierre Gasly has jumped to fifth in the standings on a C5 compound tyre. The Frenchman clocks a time of 1:33.429 and has banked 112 laps.

Image source, Getty Images

Charles Leclerc has come in for a practice pit stop and is being wheeled back into the Ferrari garage.

The team are looking quite relaxed on the pit wall after that stint.

Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent in Bahrain

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has called for calm in the face of criticism from drivers of the sport's new rules - but said changes would be made if necessary.

F1's four active world champions - Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris - have all made disparaging comments about the driving experience of the new cars in one way or another.

But Domenicali said in a news conference on Thursday: "We need to avoid overreaction because it's just the beginning of a new journey, so that's why I say we need to stay calm.

"And if there is something that is useful and can be implemented straight away, I've seen a very open approach by [governing body] the FIA and also the teams sharing their defined data of course with the others.

"It's a new concept where it has to be, of course, improved if needed."

• Read more here

Max Verstappen has just set a personal best in his Red Bull. He sits in third, but is now 0.812 seconds from leader Charles Leclerc.

Here comes Leclerc and he sets three fastest sectors, clocking a time of 1:31.992.

Joe, Brighton: Early signs indicate Leclerc is looking very, very strong. What if he continues to dominate Hamilton again for a second year? Will that be curtains for the seven-time world champ?

Fraser, Suffolk: Really think the FIA has got these new regulations wrong and should have gone back to V10 engines with sustainable fuel.

Oliver Bearman in the Haas is currently fifth-fastest and has just completed his best lap, with Alpine's Pierre Gasly in sixth.

Bearman is 1.190 seconds behind leader Charles Leclerc and has banked 80 laps this afternoon.

Charles Leclerc is back out and is looking very confident in that new Ferrari.

He's bolted on the softest compound of tyre he's had all day and sets the fastest first and second sector.

The Monegasque driver has improved on his time, clocking a 1:32.297.

He's completed 121 laps so far, and has stayed out for now.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

George Russell thinks Mercedes has "potential" in 2026, however, those race start could be the difference between the top teams this season.

Russell said: "I think we've got a lot of potential beneath us, but to win a race, you've also got to get off the line quite well.

"I think the two starts I've made this week were worse than my worst ever start in Formula 1. So, you know, Lewis down in P11 got into P1.

"At this stage, I don't think it matters how quick you are. The thing that's going to trip you up is going to be that tallest hurdle, and that's what we're trying to get our heads around right now.

"And, you know, we're stumbling on some at the moment."

George Russell is back out on track in the Mercedes, he's banked 67 laps so far.

He was speaking to the media earlier today and feels the car has "a lot of potential".

Five drivers have not been in the cars today, as they did a full day of running yesterday. These drivers are:

Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

Alex Albon (Williams)

Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

You'll have to wait for the first Grand Prix of the season in Australia to see them back on track.