Antonelli and Piastri break 1m32s barrier in Bahrain test as Aston Martin struggles continue
Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets for Mercedes on the second day of F1's final pre-season test in Bahrain, breaking into the 1m32s alongside McLaren's Oscar Piastri. The day was marred for Aston Martin, however, as a power unit issue sidelined Fernando Alonso early, severely limiting the team's running and casting a shadow over their preparation for the new season.
Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time on the second day of F1's final pre-season test in Bahrain, breaking the 1m32s barrier alongside McLaren's Oscar Piastri. While the lap times tumbled for some, Aston Martin's test was derailed by a power unit issue that sidelined Fernando Alonso and limited the team to just 68 laps for the day.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing lap times are always treated with caution, but breaking a significant time barrier and showing strong pace is a morale boost for any team or driver. For Antonelli, it's a statement performance as he auditions for a potential 2025 Mercedes seat. Conversely, Aston Martin's reliability scare is an unwelcome disruption to their preparation, raising early questions about the consistency needed to fight at the front.
The details:
- Top of the Timesheets: Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes in the afternoon session, set a 1m32.803s to lead the day. McLaren's Oscar Piastri was a close second, just 0.058s behind, as the only other driver to dip into the 1m32s bracket.
- Verstappen's Mileage: Reigning champion Max Verstappen focused on long runs for Red Bull, posting the third-fastest time (1m33.162s) while completing a massive 139 laps, underlining the RB20's reliability.
- Aston Martin's Setback: Fernando Alonso's test day ended early when he stopped at Turn 4 with a reported power unit issue, causing a red flag. The team did not return to the track, managing only 68 laps total and losing crucial setup time.
- Hamilton's Recovery: After a truncated morning with just five laps on Thursday, Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a more productive day in the Ferrari, finishing fourth fastest and completing 78 laps in total across the two sessions.
- High Mileage Club: Besides Verstappen, Williams' Franco Colapinto and Alex Albon, along with RB's Liam Lawson, all surpassed 100 laps, indicating solid reliability for their respective teams.
What's next:
The final day of testing in Bahrain begins Friday, offering teams one last chance to refine their cars before the competitive lights go out for real at the same circuit next week. All eyes will be on whether Aston Martin can resolve its issue and recover lost ground, and if any team shows a dramatic late surge in performance ahead of the season opener.