Formula One is officially back in business and arguably the closest season we will ever see in the hybrid era (or ever?)
The pre-season testing was held at the Bahrain International Circuit from 26 February to 28 February. These three days gave us a taste of the competition we can expect by the opening race weekend at Albert Park Circuit in Australia, from 14 March to 16 March.
Excitement was high, as it was the first time we could hear the engines for the 2025 Formula One season, and had all the fans raring to go. McLaren’s Lando Norris was seen with a fabulous lap of 1:30.430 after fifty-two laps. Norris edged out Mercedes’ George Russell and the star of the day, Ferrari’s newest driver Lewis Hamilton. Despite the latter two’s efforts, they were a few tenths off the McLaren.
Bahrain Testing: Day One timesheet
1) Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:30.430, 52 laps
2) George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:30.587, 70 laps
3) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:30.674, 74 laps
4) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:30.878, 71 laps
5) Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:30.955, 68 laps
6) Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:31.353, 72 laps
7) Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:31.428, 78 laps
8) Liam Lawson (Red Bull) – 1:31.560, 58 laps
9) Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:31.573, 63 laps
10) Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – 1:31.610, 78 laps
11) Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:31.631, 76 laps
12) Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 1:31.690, 59 laps
13) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:31.834, 70 laps
14) Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 1:31.841, 68 laps
15) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:31.874, 46 laps
16) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:31.949, 42 laps
17) Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:32.084, 66 laps
18) Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 1:32.169, 55 laps
19) Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:33.600, 88 laps
20) Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 1:35.522, 72 laps
After day one, all the teams seem to be settling in well with both the cars and the circuit. Day two saw Williams’ latest shining star, Carlos Sainz, shoot to the top of the timesheet with a time of 1:29.348, after an incredible 127 laps. Mercedes and McLaren had driven longer stints, suggesting even more improvement over the winter break. Many are now wondering has the pack come even closer in the fight for the 2025 constructors championship?
Bahrain Testing: Day Two timesheet
1) Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:29.348, 127 laps*
2) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:29.379, 45 laps
3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:29.431, 83 laps
4) George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:29.778, 71 laps
5) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:29.784, 87 laps
6) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:30.229, 57 laps
7) Liam Lawson (Red Bull) – 1:30.252, 91 laps*
8) Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 1:30.368, 80 laps
9) Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:30.430, 40 laps
10) Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:30.675, 94 laps
11) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:30.700, 45 laps
12) Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – 1:30.793, 46 laps
13) Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:30.821, 44 laps
14) Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:30.882, 77 laps
15) Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 1:31.057, 80 laps
16) Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 1:31.457, 56 laps
17) Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:33.071, 69 laps
18) Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 1:34.372, 66 laps
*Driver participated in both day two sessions
The final day of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit saw George Russell top the board with a stunning lap of 1:29.545. The Mercedes looks solid over the duration of the pre-season test in the experienced hands of Russell, though the lap was overlooked by two incidents resulting in two red flags. First, shattered glass from a gantry on the main straight and, secondly, a circuit bus driving on the run-off area, thus Russell made an advance with these bizarre events.
Bahrain Testing: Day Three timesheet
1) George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:29.545, 91 laps
2) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:29.566, 81 laps
3) Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:29.650, 137 laps
4) Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:29.940, 85 laps
5) Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:30.040, 84 laps
6) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:30.345, 47 laps
7) Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – 1:30.497, 87 laps
8) Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:30.728, 103 laps
9) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:30.811, 66 laps
10) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:30.888, 61 laps
11) Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:30.943, 57 laps
12) Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 1:31.239, 61 laps
13) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:31.699, 34 laps
14) Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 1:31.726, 69 laps
15) Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:31.761, 73 laps
16) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:32.084, 82 laps*
17) Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 1:32.147, 35 laps
18) Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 1:32.361, 59 laps
There are many questions left to ask after these thrilling few days of testing, but based on the times seen, we can expect a highly competitive 2025 season open in Albert Park.
