Lewis Hamilton SCHOOLED by Leclerc as champion loses out in…read more
The 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing commenced on Wednesday at the Bahrain International Circuit, marking a significant milestone as teams unveiled their new cars and drivers took to the track to gauge performance ahead of the upcoming season. The day was not without its challenges, including a notable power outage that temporarily halted proceedings.
Norris Sets the Pace
Lando Norris of McLaren emerged as the fastest driver of the day, clocking a best lap time of 1:30.430. His performance underscored McLaren’s potential competitiveness this season. Norris’s time was 0.157 seconds quicker than Mercedes’ George Russell, who posted a 1:30.587, and 0.244 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who recorded a 1:30.674. These close margins suggest a potentially tight contest among the top teams as the season progresses.
Hamilton’s Ferrari Debut
Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton made his much-anticipated debut with Ferrari after his departure from Mercedes at the end of the previous season. Hamilton completed over 70 laps in the morning session, achieving a best time of 1:31.834, which placed him 13th overall for the day. In contrast, his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, managed a 1:30.878, securing the fourth spot on the timesheets. This initial disparity indicates that Hamilton may need time to acclimate to the SF-25 and optimize its performance.
Power Outage Disrupts Testing
The day’s testing was unexpectedly interrupted by a power outage caused by a failure at an external substation, plunging the circuit and garages into darkness shortly after 5:00 PM local time. The session was red-flagged for safety reasons and remained suspended for over an hour. To compensate for the lost time, officials extended the day’s testing by an additional hour, allowing teams to continue their programs under the floodlights once power was restored. Mercedes’ George Russell humorously recounted the incident, noting, “I came to the pits and said ‘it’s dark out here. I need to change my visor’. Then I realized there are no floodlights around.”
Rookie Performances
The testing session also highlighted impressive performances from rookies. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian newcomer for Mercedes, topped the morning session with a time of 1:31.428 on medium tires, completing 78 laps without incident. His consistent performance indicates a promising start to his Formula 1 career. Similarly, New Zealander Liam Lawson, now Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, showcased his potential by securing the eighth-fastest time of the day with a 1:31.560, despite an earlier spin in the morning session.
Team Dynamics and Adjustments
The transition period for teams was evident, particularly for Mercedes, who are adapting to Hamilton’s departure after 12 years. An incident during testing highlighted this adjustment phase when Mercedes staff were seen hurriedly removing Hamilton’s iconic No. 44 from a generator, symbolizing the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter with drivers George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Weather Conditions and Track Performance
The testing day was marked by overcast skies and strong winds, presenting additional challenges for the drivers. Despite these conditions, most teams managed to gather valuable data. Notably, Williams’ Carlos Sainz Jr. delivered a strong performance, securing the fifth-fastest time with a 1:30.955, indicating that Williams may be a contender in the midfield battle this season.
Looking Ahead
With two more days of testing remaining at the Bahrain International Circuit, teams will continue to fine-tune their setups and evaluate performance metrics. The data gathered during these sessions is crucial for making necessary adjustments before the season opener in Australia on March 16. As teams analyze their performance relative to competitors, fans eagerly anticipate the commencement of what promises to be an exciting and closely contested Formula 1 season.
