Lando Norris tops day one of Bahrain test, edging Max Verstappen by 0.129s
McLaren’s Lando Norris topped day one of Bahrain testing with a 1:34.669 lap, 0.129 s quicker than Max Verstappen’s 1:34.798. Verstappen ran double laps, while Ferrari, Haas, Audi and Aston Martin showed pace.
Lando Norris set the fastest lap on day one of Bahrain’s pre‑season test, clocking 1:34.669 – just 0.129 s quicker than Max Verstappen’s 1:34.798. Verstappen ran twice as many laps, but the British driver’s single‑lap pace set the early benchmark.
Why it matters:
McLaren’s fast lap shows the new MCL40 is finally delivering the performance needed to challenge the front‑runners, while Red Bull’s ability to sustain high electrical output over long stints signals a potential race‑day advantage. The session also highlighted reliability concerns for Aston Martin and fresh aerodynamic concepts from Audi, reminding teams that speed alone won’t win the championship.
The details:
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:34.669, 58 laps (fastest)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:34.798, 136 laps (2nd)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:35.190, 80 laps (3rd)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:35.578, 115 laps (4th)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:35.602, 54 laps (5th)
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:36.108, 56 laps (6th)
- Audi unveiled a revised side‑pod on the R26, running reliably before a brief red‑flag with Hulkenberg.
- Aston Martin logged just 36 laps after a data anomaly in the new Honda power unit.
What's next:
McLaren will fine‑tune the MCL40’s aerodynamics and ERS maps before the Bahrain Grand Prix, while Red Bull will keep stress‑testing its hybrid system to lock in the electric advantage. Ferrari, Haas, Audi and the other midfield teams will focus on closing the performance gap revealed in the first session. The Bahrain test will shape the early championship narrative, with each team scrambling to convert these initial findings into race‑ready performance.