In the heat of the Bahrain International Circuit, Day 2 of the F1 2025 pre-season testing revealed a rollercoaster of events, from thrilling race simulations to unforeseen technical mishaps. The teams, already on their toes, are now under the spotlight as they work to fine-tune their setups and address reliability issues before the Australian Grand Prix in March.
McLaren and Ferrari locked horns in the afternoon session, further enlivening the day. However, Red Bull’s struggle with reliability and a brief spell of rain failed to deter the teams from logging crucial mileage on the track. Some emerged showcasing early indications of a competitive edge, while others grappled with setbacks.
McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered an impressive race simulation, consistently lapping faster than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc under similar conditions. The British driver’s average lap times in the latter stages of his stint were around a second faster than Leclerc’s, a significant lead for long-run potential. This performance followed McLaren’s 2024 trend and underscored their strong stance on retaining the constructors’ championship.
McLaren’s prowess in managing tyre degradation, as displayed in the previous year’s Emilia Romagna GP and Austrian GP, could be a significant weapon in their arsenal if carried into the new season. Even if they don’t clinch the fastest single-lap in qualifying, their race-centric strategy could position them as a major threat on the tracks.
Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton marked his morning session with a fastest lap of 1:29.379s, signaling his growing comfort with Ferrari following his dramatic switch from Mercedes. This performance hints at Ferrari’s improved one-lap performance, a facet they struggled with in 2024. However, McLaren’s daunting long-run speed indicates that there is still work to be done.
Red Bull faced a challenging day with Liam Lawson’s engine water pressure issue severely reducing his track time. The team ultimately had to dismantle the car’s floor for an in-depth investigation. This early reliability concern could be a red flag for Red Bull, potentially jeopardizing Max Verstappen’s defense of his drivers’ championship.
Mercedes, on the other hand, maintained their steady pace in the F1 2025 pre-season testing. With George Russell and Kimi Antonelli at the wheel, the Silver Arrows undertook their pre-determined run plans without any major hiccups. Russell, with the second-most laps under his belt, reaffirmed Mercedes’ reliability.
Despite the accumulation of data and mileage, the second day of testing wasn’t devoid of errors. The drivers, still shaking off their winter break inertia, were prone to mishaps. Limited running due to reliability issues, a circuit-wide power failure, and rain complicated the aerodynamic testing, hindering teams from achieving their full potential.
As the final day of pre-season testing approaches, teams are shifting gears towards the final preparations for the season opener in Australia. Red Bull will focus on a glitch-free session with Verstappen, McLaren will look to affirm their promising long-run pace, and Ferrari will work on refining their handling consistency.
For fans eager to follow the action, several platforms are providing live coverage and expert analysis. These include Sky Sports F1 in the UK, ESPN in the US, TSN in Canada, Fox Sports in Australia, and Sky Sport NZ in New Zealand.
With the final day of pre-season testing looming, teams are bracing themselves to maximize track time and finalize their preparations. The real racing action is set to kick-off in Melbourne from March 14-16. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates from the world of F1.