In a surprising revelation, GPS data analysis from the Bahrain International Circuit suggests that Mercedes is poised to be the second-fastest team for the upcoming F1 2025 season. This information comes from the highly esteemed Sky F1 journalist, Craig Slater, after scrutinizing the data from the three-day pre-season testing held at the venue.
The pre-season testing phase is notorious for its unpredictability, often sparking heated debates among F1 enthusiasts. This year is no exception, especially with Carlos Sainz from Williams setting a remarkable headline time of 1:29.348. This impressive feat, coupled with Lando Norris’ stunning race simulation on the second day in the McLaren MCL39, has reinforced the widespread speculation that the British driver could be a strong contender for the title.
However, the data interpretation from Pablo Hidalgo, a data analysis expert from PlanetF1.com, presents a slightly different picture. According to Hidalgo’s analysis, McLaren stands as the leading team based on race simulation data. The positioning of Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull remains uncertain, with Red Bull suspected of not revealing their full potential during the Bahrain testing.
Yet, in a separate analysis, Craig Slater presents a more optimistic view for Mercedes. He revealed, “An individual I’ve spoken to with access to GPS data have Mercedes second quickest here.” This is an intriguing development considering the lack of self-confidence displayed by Mercedes during the test and their team dynamic, which includes a very young driver Kimi Antonelli and George Russell leading their charge this year.
The Bahrain testing was not without its challenges. The changing weather conditions, with Day 2 experiencing much cooler temperatures than usual and interrupted by rainfall, added another layer of complexity to the determination of the true F1 2025 grid order.
A potential issue was identified with Mercedes’ W16 on Day 2, causing concern for team principal Toto Wolff. Last season, the cooler conditions had provided an edge for their W15. Wolff, expressing his concern, admitted to the media, including PlanetF1.com, “I’m a bit worried at the moment because that should be conditions where we should be two seconds quicker than everybody else, which was the only highlight last year in terms of performance in Las Vegas, and we are not.”
The real test will begin with the Australian Grand Prix, marking the start of the 24-round season. Only then will the true potential and competitiveness of the ten teams be unveiled. For now, the analysis, speculations, and debates continue, fueling the excitement and anticipation for the F1 2025 season.
