Hamilton posts fastest Bahrain test race run as Ferrari emerges as frontrunner
Analysis from the Bahrain test indicates Lewis Hamilton set the fastest race simulation, but Ferrari's upgraded car has also impressed, with McLaren's Andrea Stella pointing to both teams as appearing strongest ahead of the season opener, though he cautioned against reading too much into testing times.
Lewis Hamilton completed the fastest race simulation of any driver during the final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, according to Sky F1 analysis, with McLaren boss Andrea Stella identifying Ferrari and Mercedes as the teams appearing most ready for the season opener.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing long-run data offers the clearest, though still imperfect, glimpse into the early competitive order. If the simulations are accurate, it signals a significant step forward for Ferrari with its upgrade package and confirms Mercedes' potential, setting the stage for a tight battle at the front when the season begins in earnest.
The details:
- Sky F1's Ted Kravitz reported that Hamilton's race run on Day 3 was quicker than the simulation set by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc on Day 2, though he noted the track was more rubbered-in for the Mercedes driver's run.
- Despite Hamilton's headline pace, Kravitz declared Ferrari the new "number one" based on the combined race simulation data from its upgrade package, which included a new front wing, floor, and diffuser introduced on the second day of testing.
- McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella's analysis supported the view of a strong Ferrari and Mercedes, stating that the race pace from both Hamilton and Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli appeared quicker than McLaren's own simulations.
- Stella urged caution, a standard pre-season refrain, noting that testing data can be deceptive but conceded the early indications "definitely put Ferrari and Mercedes at the top of the list."
What's next:
The true test arrives at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. The race simulations will be validated under genuine competitive conditions, revealing whether Ferrari's upgrades and Mercedes' promising long-run pace translate into a sustained challenge for victory or if another team, like a sandbagging Red Bull, has been hiding its true potential.
summary: Analysis from the Bahrain test indicates Lewis Hamilton set the fastest race simulation, but Ferrari's upgraded car has also impressed, with McLaren's Andrea Stella pointing to both teams as appearing strongest ahead of the season opener, though he cautioned against reading too much into testing times.