The world of Formula 1 is abuzz with speculation and anticipation as pre-season testing in Bahrain provided a sneak peek into what might unfold in 2025. The testing conditions, however, were far from typical, featuring cooler temperatures, gusty winds, and even sporadic rain. These factors, coupled with cars and tires designed for warmer weather, resulted in an unconventional performance yardstick with limited relevance to the season’s opening race in Melbourne.
Nevertheless, the testing did not go unnoticed. McLaren, the reigning constructors’ champions, emerged as a competitive force. Under the leadership of team principal Andrea Stella, drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri delivered impressive race simulations. Despite acknowledging areas of improvement, the team’s progress suggests a promising start to the season.
Red Bull, on the other hand, clocked just 304 laps, falling noticeably behind Mercedes’ 458 laps. However, a low mileage does not necessarily equate to a lack of progress. Liam Lawson remained optimistic despite an engine water pressure issue that disrupted his Thursday run. His optimism was bolstered by an updated car run by Max Verstappen on Friday. Even though Red Bull did not conduct a race simulation, team advisor Helmut Marko expressed confidence in the team’s potential, mirroring McLaren’s pace.
Pierre Wache, Red Bull’s technical director, conveyed a more cautious outlook. He acknowledged that the test was not as smooth as anticipated. He pointed out the unrepresentative weather conditions but expressed satisfaction in exploring the car’s potential under various setups. Despite the car not responding as expected at times, there was a sense of direction, albeit not as significant as they had hoped.
Ferrari, which started strong, seemed to lose some ground as the week progressed. Charles Leclerc’s admission of needing to search for solutions at Maranello, however, was not one of concern. He emphasized the importance of understanding where they were falling short, both in comparison to McLaren and his own expectations. He also pointed out the importance of factoring in the running conditions of the competitors.
The Mercedes W16’s performance in cold conditions, a strength in 2024, is also a point of speculation. Toto Wolff, half-jokingly, expressed concern over the car’s performance in Bahrain, where he had expected it to outperform other teams by a significant margin. Could this mean that Mercedes has achieved a balance in all climatic conditions, or have they lost their advantage in cold temperatures? Only time will tell.
Based on the testing, a tentative pecking order could look like this: McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes. However, with the midfield potentially closing in, and the knowledge that no single team stood out significantly from the rest, it’s clear that the order could change from one race track to another, much like last year.
Team members are understandably cautious about making predictions about the season’s kickoff race, especially with the volatile performance fluctuations of 2024 still fresh in their minds. The picture painted in Bahrain is blurry at best, and Melbourne could very well present a different scenario. The prospect of constant change and unpredictability is an exhilarating part of the sport, a sentiment shared by fans and teams alike. How thrilling is that?