From McLaren’s pace to Ferrari’s issues: all the clues gathered from Bahrain F1 testing

From McLaren’s pace to Ferrari’s issues: all the clues gathered from Bahrain F1 testing. Here’s what we learned from F1 testing in Bahrain.

From McLaren to Ferrari, Mercedes to Williams, with the uncertainty surrounding Red Bull in between—these are the key takeaways from F1’s Bahrain tests. The three days in Sakhir have come to an end, giving us the first glimpse of the new cars in action. Surprises were plentiful, from shattered glass to bus invasions and unchecked rumors resembling paddock gossip.

After three days on track, the leader of the overall standings is a former Ferrari driver. With a time of 1:29.348, Carlos Sainz topped the timesheets in a surprising Williams. Interestingly, the Spaniard also led last year’s testing with a 1:29.921—both laps set on the second day of running.

Ferrari, which had dominated last year’s test with Carlos Sainz ahead of Charles Leclerc, this time finished in second and third place. The top SF-25 belonged to Lewis Hamilton, who had spoken positively about the car until midday. McLaren’s fastest lap was only good enough for ninth, but this is misleading—the MCL39 leaves Bahrain as the clear favorite.

McLaren Leads the Pack, Ferrari and Mercedes Chasing

First with Lando Norris on Thursday, then with Oscar Piastri, McLaren proved to be the dominant force in race pace. Over a Grand Prix distance, their advantage is estimated to be around thirty seconds. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, and perhaps their rivals will wake up from this nightmare by Melbourne. The Australian circuit is different from Bahrain, which offered conditions favorable to the MCL39.

Judging by their competitors’ performances, however, it’s hard not to consider Andrea Stella’s team the favorite. Chasing them, Ferrari and Mercedes seem to be battling for second place. Without the technical issues—or strategic choices—that cut Hamilton’s test program short, Ferrari might have maintained a slight edge over Brackley’s team.

The SF-25 showed flashes of strong performance but struggled to find the right balance. The potential is there, and it could be unlocked once the team fully understands the new suspension system. Meanwhile, Mercedes can be optimistic—the W16 was well-born, showing strong cornering speed, and should be a contender throughout the season.

Red Bull, Williams, and the Rest of the Grid

The biggest disappointment of the tests is undoubtedly Red Bull. The team that needed to prove it could perform well without Adrian Newey seems to be doing the opposite. Constant setup changes continued until the final day, and Max Verstappen didn’t even complete a race simulation. Paddock rumors are running wild, with whispers of an increasingly frustrated Dutchman.

On the other hand, Williams has reason to smile. Both Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon delivered strong performances. A fifth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship seems within reach, though Alpine, shining in the hands of Pierre Gasly, could pose a challenge.

Behind them, the situation becomes more complex. Racing Bulls and Aston Martin have faced a fair share of issues, suggesting their cars are still rough around the edges. However, it’s Silverstone’s team that appears to be in greater difficulty, waiting for the much-anticipated 2026 regulations. There’s also a lot of work to be done at Haas and Sauber, with the Hinwil-based team currently looking destined for the back of the grid.