The first day of the 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing at the Sakhir Circuit in Bahrain concluded with some exciting results. McLaren’s Lando Norris topped the timesheets with a fastest lap of 1:30.430
He was closely followed by Mercedes’ George Russell, who clocked in at 1:30.587. Reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured the third spot with a time of 1:30.674.
The top ten was rounded out by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fourth, Williams’ Carlos Sainz in fifth, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in sixth, Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli in seventh, Red Bull’s Liam Lawson in eighth, Williams’ Alex Albon in ninth, and Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda in tenth.
The day was not without its challenges, as a power cut disrupted the afternoon session, reducing the running time by an hour. Despite this, all teams managed to gather valuable data to fine-tune their cars ahead of the season opener in Australia on March 16.
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:30.430
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:30.587
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:30.674
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:30.812
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:30.945
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:31.102
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:31.215
- Liam Lawson (Red Bull) – 1:31.342
- Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:31.478
- Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – 1:31.589.
Overall, the pre-season testing day one results provided a glimpse into the competitive landscape for the upcoming season, with strong performances from both established drivers and newcomers.
Are you excited about the new F1 season? Which team or driver are you rooting for?
