As the dust settles after the 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing held at the Bahrain International Circuit, we’re left to ponder the aftermath and piece together a possible hierarchy among the teams. With each team having its unique strategy and variables like fuel loads and engine modes remaining undisclosed, it’s tricky to pinpoint the absolute pace of each competitor.
The definitive winners and losers of the F1 off-season will only come to light during the qualifying and race day at the Australian Grand Prix. The Albert Park, Melbourne circuit’s uniqueness might necessitate several races before the actual hierarchical order comes to light.
So, what insights can we gather from the testing phase?
McLaren made a bold statement with Lando Norris’s race simulation on Day 2 of the Bahrain test. This was clearly a wake-up call to the reigning Constructors’ Champion’s rivals. Norris’s pace on the C2 tyre outpaced Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on the C1 by two seconds. Although Team Principal Andrea Stella tried to downplay the team’s performance, F1.com reports that McLaren showcased the strongest race and qualifying pace across the field. Thus, if there’s a pecking order to be considered, McLaren might be leading the pack.
As for the main challengers, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull are gearing up to give McLaren a run for its money. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc expressed their optimism during the three-day test. Despite a technical glitch on the final testing day, seven-time champion Hamilton was content with the team’s overall performance. Hamilton stated, “We’ve made some strong progress as a team. We had to finish a little earlier than planned today, and the weather has been hard to predict all week, but we’ve managed to gather a lot of good information to build on before the season starts.”
Max Verstappen, however, had a less smooth final testing day. Despite having all eight hours, Verstappen completed only 81 laps, ten less than Mercedes’ George Russell who ran for four hours less. His RB21 showed signs of instability, which raises questions about his 2025 machine. Verstappen, however, remains positive stating, “I don’t expect us to be the fastest at all.”
Mercedes, part of F1’s big four, clocked the most laps during the three days of testing (458). George Russell set the fastest time of Day 3, a 1:29.545, but still considers McLaren as the team to beat.
Joining the fray is Williams, with Carlos Sainz clocking the fastest time of the test. His team-mate Alex Albon admits there’s room for improvement but is confident Williams can bring something extra to Melbourne.
The midfield fight sees Williams, Alpine, and Haas battling it out. Haas, however, is not too concerned about the pecking order yet with Team Principal Ayao Komatsu stating, “Even if I know I’m P5 or P8, what am I going to do until Australia?”
Aston Martin had a fragmented test, completing the second-least amount of laps. Racing Bulls also has a task on their hands to return to the front of the midfield. Sauber, while unlikely to suffer as much as in 2024, hasn’t shown significant evidence of being more than a backbencher in the 2025 campaign.
With the 2025 pre-season testing wrapped up, the stage is set for what promises to be an exhilarating F1 season. Will McLaren maintain its pace? Can Williams surprise us in Melbourne? The countdown to the Australian Grand Prix begins!
