F1 Testing: Leclerc Tops Final Morning in Bahrain as Aston Martin Faces Honda Setback
Charles Leclerc led the final morning of F1 pre-season testing for Ferrari, showcasing promising pace and reliability. The session was marred by a major setback for Aston Martin, as a Honda battery issue and parts shortage limited Lance Stroll to just two laps, casting doubt on their readiness for the season opener.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the fastest time on the final morning of pre-season testing in Bahrain, while Aston Martin's running was severely curtailed by a Honda battery issue and a parts shortage. Leclerc's benchmark lap of 1:33.689, set on medium tyres with Ferrari's older-spec rear wing, edged out Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli by just over two-tenths, capping off a generally reliable and productive session for the Scuderia.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing times are always contextual, but the final session often reveals glimpses of a team's underlying performance and reliability ahead of the first race. Leclerc's pace and high lap count suggest Ferrari has a solid and consistent package, while Aston Martin's troubles highlight the immense pressure on Honda to deliver bulletproof reliability for its new works partner from the very first race in Australia.
The details:
- Charles Leclerc completed 80 laps in the Ferrari, focusing on long runs and data gathering with the team's older rear wing configuration, not the new active design.
- Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli brought out a red flag when his car's power unit cut out, limiting his running to 49 laps, though he still managed to set the second-fastest time.
- Aston Martin's programme was derailed by a Honda battery problem discovered on Fernando Alonso's car the previous day. A subsequent parts shortage forced the team to adapt its plan to only "very short stints."
- Lance Stroll managed just two installation laps in the entire morning session, a significant setback for the team's preparation.
- Other notable performances included Esteban Ocon logging a session-high 82 laps for Haas and Red Bull's Isack Hadjar setting an early pace before falling down the order.
By the numbers:
The morning session timesheet and lap counts provided a clear snapshot of reliability and pace:
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 1:33.689 – 80 laps
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 1:33.916 – 49 laps
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 1:34.352 – 66 laps
- Esteban Ocon (Haas): 1:34.494 – 82 laps
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull): 1:34.511 – 59 laps
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): No time – 2 laps
What's next:
The curtain closes on pre-season testing, shifting all focus to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in two weeks. Teams will now analyze terabytes of data to finalize their setups and strategies. For Ferrari and Mercedes, the signs are encouraging. For Aston Martin and Honda, the race is already on to diagnose the battery fault, source parts, and ensure both cars are ready to compete at full strength in Melbourne, where the 2025 championship truly begins.