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Mercedes triumphs in thrilling Bahrain pre-season test: Russell edges Piastri by a heartbeat

Redação by Redação
February 18, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Mercedes triumphs in thrilling Bahrain pre-season test: Russell edges Piastri by a heartbeat

Title: Dramatic Showdown at F1 Bahrain Pre-Season Test: Mercedes Edges McLaren by a Whisker, Chaos Strikes Multiple Teams!

In a thrilling display of speed and skill, George Russell has shaken the Formula 1 world to its core, clocking an astonishing lap of 1m33.459s during the second week of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. The Mercedes star not only surpassed last week's benchmark set by teammate Kimi Antonelli by two-tenths of a second but did so with a hair-raising flourish that has set the stage for an electrifying season ahead.

However, the action didn't stop there. McLaren's rising star, Oscar Piastri, made waves by slashing an entire second off his previous time, finishing the day with a scintillating lap of 1m33.469s—only to be edged out by Russell in a nail-biting finale that ended with a mere 0.01s separating the two drivers. Piastri had dominated the early session, only to watch his hopes crushed at the last moment.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc initially laid down the morning's fastest time on prototype rubber, clocking in at 1m33.739s, showcasing the Scuderia's undeniable pace. Yet, Ferrari's day was not without its challenges. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, found himself in the garage for an agonizing 90 minutes due to unspecified technical issues, completing only 44 laps in the afternoon session.

The competitive landscape revealed striking contrasts. Lando Norris and Antonelli rounded out the top five, while Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, the only driver to complete the full day, could only muster a 1m34.260s and a mere 66 laps after grappling with engine coolant issues earlier in the day.

The gap between the frontrunners and the midfield teams was stark. Williams, with Carlos Sainz in the cockpit, lagged behind with a time of 1m35.113s—1.654 seconds off Piastri’s pace. Alpine, Audi, and Racing Bulls were considerably further back, with their fastest drivers clocking in at 1.795s, 1.804s, and 2.294s adrift, respectively. These figures raise serious concerns for the teams, particularly for their aspirations in the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, disaster loomed for Aston Martin and Cadillac, both of whom faced catastrophic setbacks. Aston Martin was plagued by power unit failures, forcing them into a four-hour stint in the garage. Lance Stroll's attempts to salvage the day culminated in a dramatic spin into the Turn 10 gravel trap—an incident that appeared more mechanical than a driver error. The AMR26 managed to clock only 54 laps, a meager output compared to rivals, despite an impressive leap from last week’s 1m38.165s to 1m35.974s.

Cadillac also suffered a disastrous day, spending most of their time in the garage due to sensor issues, with Sergio Perez only managing 24 laps and Valtteri Bottas slightly better at 35 laps, yet failing to produce any significant lap times with their unnamed car.

As the day wrapped up, a pivotal moment came with a simulation of the new-for-2026 start procedure, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Fortunately, all ten cars roared to life without a hitch when the lights went out—a promising sign as teams gear up for the challenges ahead.

With the Bahrain pre-season test delivering dramatic highs and lows, the stakes have never been higher. Teams are racing against time to iron out issues and find their competitive edge before the season officially kicks off. Buckle up, as this season promises to be one for the ages!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipaf-corse-ferrarigeorge-russell-2getspeed-mercedesLewis HamiltonOscar Piastri
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