The checkered flag waves at the Bahrain International Circuit, marking the end of the first day of pre-season testing in Sakhir. Between a blackout and different team programs, let’s take a look at what happened on the first of three test days in the Manama desert.
The first test day at Sakhir ended at 18:00 Central European Standard Time. At the conclusion of Day 1 in Bahrain, Lando Norris topped the timesheets. The McLaren driver set the fastest lap at 1:30.430 on medium tires (C3, the soft compound for the Bahrain GP weekend). The Woking team’s driver edged out George Russell’s Mercedes by just over a tenth and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull by about two-tenths.
Source: f1ingenerale
However, discussing lap times in testing is always premature. Pre-season tests are not like free practice sessions during a race weekend, and team programs are even more varied. Still, the front of the grid appears to be quite compact, with the top teams not showing significant gaps from one another.
Day 1 in Bahrain welcomed the teams with unusually cool weather for the region. The temperature remained around 15°C throughout the day, creating conditions very different from those expected at the Grand Prix in April.
The fastest lap times were recorded in the afternoon, as the track became more rubbered in and conditions improved. A power outage at the circuit also disrupted team programs, forcing race control to extend the session by an hour.
Ferrari in exploration mode and McLaren consistent: how the top teams worked
All 20 drivers hit the track on the first day of testing in Bahrain. At 08:00 Italian time, the pit lane light turned green, signaling the start for Hamilton, Lawson, Piastri, and Antonelli.
Mercedes
One of the surprises of the morning was undoubtedly Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Italian rookie performed well in the new Mercedes W16, completing consistent stints and setting the fastest time of the session at 1:34.428 (seventh overall by the end of the day). The young Bologna native immediately showed a good connection with the car, which, according to teammate Russell, is a clear step forward from the W15, particularly in terms of handling.
After lunch, Antonelli handed the car over to George Russell. The Briton confirmed the positive impressions from the morning, finishing the day in second place, just a tenth behind leader Norris.
Kimi Antonelli – P7 – 1:34.428 – Laps completed: 78
George Russell – P2 – 1:30.587 – Laps completed: 70
Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton was the first Ferrari driver to take to the track on Day 1, getting his first taste of the new SF-25 in Sakhir. The seven-time world champion completed 70 laps but never truly convinced. Before lunch, the SF-25 appeared quite unsettled—first understeering on corner entry, then oversteering at mid-corner. However, the situation changed significantly in the afternoon with Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver found a car that was much more balanced, convincing, and faster.
Ferrari introduced several updates on its new car, making it clear that the first day was about exploration—understanding the car in different conditions.
Lewis Hamilton – P13 – 1:31.834 – Laps completed: 70
Charles Leclerc – P4 – 1:30.878 – Laps completed: 71
Red Bull
First Lawson, then Verstappen. Despite not being among the pre-test favorites for many, Red Bull immediately showed a stiff and low ride height. With the floor making close contact with the asphalt, the new Milton Keynes car performed well—especially in the hands of Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman, on track in the afternoon, finished third overall. More than his lap time—which is secondary in testing—what stood out was his remarkable consistency, producing highly stable stints.
Liam Lawson – P8 – 1:31.560 – Laps completed: 58
Max Verstappen – P3 – 1:30.674 – Laps completed: 74
McLaren
The reigning constructors’ champions from 2024, McLaren enters 2025 as the team to beat. For the first day of testing in Bahrain, the British squad fielded Oscar Piastri in the morning session and Lando Norris in the afternoon.
The most notable insights from the papaya-colored camp came from Lando Norris, who set the fastest lap of the day. The Briton topped the Day 1 timesheets in Sakhir, capping off a well-balanced session. As expected, McLaren followed a straightforward program, continuing seamlessly from its 2024 progress.
Oscar Piastri – P17 – 1:32.084 – Laps completed: 66
Lando Norris – P1 – 1:30.430 – Laps completed: 52
Source: f1ingenerale
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