As the second day of Formula 1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit kicks off, several teams have made the decision to run only one driver for the entire day, rather than splitting the session between two drivers. Among those teams is Red Bull, who have opted to give Liam Lawson a full day’s testing on Thursday, before Max Verstappen takes over the car for the final day of testing on Friday. This approach is designed to maximize the data collected, although it took an unfortunate turn for Lawson during the morning session.Another notable team to adopt this strategy is Williams. Carlos Sainz will be the sole driver for Williams on Thursday, and his goal is to complete a full race distance during the session, simulating the conditions of a Grand Prix. This effort is part of Williams’ preparation for the 2025 season, with the team gathering crucial race simulation data to help refine their car ahead of the season opener in Melbourne, Australia.The decision to run just one driver throughout the day is a calculated move by these teams to optimize their testing plans. In particular, Sainz’s role in the testing is a key element for Williams. The Spanish driver is set to complete an entire Bahrain Grand Prix’s distance during the day, allowing the team to gather the necessary race data. Williams aims to replicate the conditions of an actual race weekend, and having Sainz drive the entire session will provide invaluable insights into tire wear, fuel load, and car performance over a sustained distance.This decision has led to some playful commentary from Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz, who referred to the situation as the “Bahrain Grand Prix of Carlos Sainz.” Kravitz joked that, since Sainz was the only driver on track for Williams during this test, it essentially made Thursday a special event in the testing calendar. “I am very excited to welcome you to the Bahrain Grand Prix of Carlos Sainz,” Kravitz said with enthusiasm. “It’s his last day in the car for testing, and he’s going to do a full Bahrain Grand Prix on his own.”While Kravitz’s comments were made in good humor, the importance of race simulation testing cannot be overstated. Teams need to understand how their cars behave over long stints, especially in terms of tire degradation and fuel load management. For Williams, the Bahrain test is a vital opportunity to assess how their car handles race conditions and make adjustments to the car’s setup if necessary. To facilitate this, they have prepared tire strategies and even have the grid trolleys set up outside the garage, mimicking what would happen on a real race weekend.Sainz’s efforts are focused on running a two-stop strategy, a common tactic in modern Formula 1 races. The team has already set up the hard compound tire, which they plan to use during the session to gather data on its performance and durability over an extended distance. As Sainz takes the car through the paces of a full Grand Prix, Williams will closely monitor his tire usage, car balance, and overall race pace to fine-tune their setup for the upcoming season.Meanwhile, Red Bull’s approach with Lawson also reflects their emphasis on gathering meaningful data. Although the team’s testing schedule for the Bahrain session involved a full day for Lawson, it didn’t go exactly as planned. Despite his best efforts, Lawson faced challenges during the morning session, which highlighted the unpredictable nature of testing. However, these difficulties are also an essential part of the testing process, as they provide insights into potential issues that could arise during a race weekend.Both Red Bull and Williams’ race simulation efforts are crucial in the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix, where teams will aim to hit the ground running with a well-prepared car. Testing is not only about improving lap times but also about ensuring reliability and performance over race distances. Teams like Red Bull and Williams are hoping that their efforts during the Bahrain test will help them hit their marks when the season kicks off in Melbourne.In conclusion, the decision by Red Bull and Williams to run just one driver for the entire day during Bahrain testing reflects a focused effort to gather race-specific data. For Williams, this means using Carlos Sainz to simulate a full Bahrain Grand Prix, while Red Bull’s Liam Lawson hopes to get valuable miles under his belt. As the teams prepare for the 2025 season, these tests will be instrumental in shaping their cars for the demanding challenges of a new year of Formula 1 racing.
