F1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain: Fast Times and Team Robustness on Display

SAKHIR, Bahrain — Formula 1 teams concluded three days of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, where performance metrics and reliability were put to the test ahead of the 2025 season opener on March 14. Mercedes surged ahead in laps completed, while various teams showcased their progress in speed and reliability.

Mercedes led the test with a total of 458 laps and a fastest lap of 1m 29.545s set by George Russell. The team, spearheaded by the confident Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli, reported significant improvements from their previous vehicle. Team Principal Toto Wolff mentioned that their test marked a promising start, saying, “We have taken good steps in addressing the weaknesses of our last car.”

In a close second was Haas, with 457 laps completed, driven primarily by Esteban Ocon, who clocked a best time of 1m 30.728s. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu reflected on the experience, noting the team’s successful simulation despite an incident involving driver Ollie Bearman. “It was decent preparation for the season ahead despite the minor hiccups,” Komatsu said.

Racing Bulls finished with a solid 454 laps and maintained a steady test without major issues, with Yuki Tsunoda‘s fastest time at 1m 30.497s. Team Principal Laurent Mekies expressed pride in their line-up’s progression, particularly praising rookie Isack Hadjar’s rapid learning curve.

Alpine led the way among teams breaking the 400-lap mark, completing 405 laps and achieving a fastest lap of 1m 30.040s. With Team Principal Oliver Oakes at the helm, the team has set a solid foundation, compared to last year’s struggles. Pierre Gasly, who finished sixth among fastest laps, echoed the sentiments of positivity in the garage.

Williams garnered noticeable attention, finishing fifth overall with 395 laps and Carlos Sainz leading the charts with a fastest lap of 1m 29.348s. The team appears to have turned a corner, with Team Principal James Vowles sharing, “It’s a reliable week for us, giving us optimism heading into the new season.”

Ferrari was spotted at the track with a total of 382 laps and Lewis Hamilton‘s best lap time at 1m 29.379s. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in a notable switch from Mercedes, stated how much he enjoyed adapting to the car’s characteristics. “I’m slowly bonding with it,” he said after testing.

McLaren tested closely behind with 381 laps, where Oscar Piastri set a solid time of 1m 29.940s. The Constructors’ Champions from last year showed strong pace but suffered from a lengthy garage stay earlier in the testing days. Lando Norris highlighted their work, indicating that adapting to the MCL39 is a crucial focus.

Kick Sauber, transitioning with new driver Gabrielle Bortoleto, managed to complete 354 laps, while Aston Martin struggled to gain ground with just 306 laps total. The team acknowledged tweaking car driveability despite encountering a mechanical challenge during the test days. Red Bull faced the largest hurdles, completing only 304 laps, with team boss Christian Horner expressing a need for further adjustments following a disappointing run in winter testing.

As the teams wrap testing, the 2025 season is poised for competitive intrigue, with the Australian Grand Prix on the horizon. The upcoming race holds uncertainties, but teams are making strides towards leveraging their winter findings. Every team hopes to capitalize on the momentum generated during the testing phase.