Mercedes and Antonelli top Day 3 of Bahrain test
Mercedes locked a one‑two in Bahrain’s final test day, with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli quickest at 1:33.669. The times lift season hopes, yet sand‑bagging whispers keep performance gap hidden.
Mercedes sealed a one‑two on the final day of the three‑day Bahrain pre‑season test, with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli posting the quickest lap of 1:33.669. The result underlines the team's early‑season momentum, but widespread sand‑bagging speculation means the real performance hierarchy remains uncertain.
Why it matters:
The one‑two cements Mercedes as an early favourite, with a rookie leading the times. Rivals will watch fuel loads and engine maps, knowing the displayed speed may still be a fraction of the car’s true potential.
The details:
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 1:33.669 (49 laps), 0.249 s faster than teammate George Russell.
- George Russell – 1:33.918, securing Mercedes’ second spot on low‑fuel run.
- Lewis Hamilton – 1:34.209 for Ferrari, but a stoppage with ten minutes left ended laps.
- Oscar Piastri – 1:34.549 for McLaren, showing consistency across a stint.
- Max Verstappen – 1:35.341 kept Red Bull within reach, with teammate Isack Hadjar 0.269 s behind.
What's next:
The true order will emerge at Australian Grand Prix qualifying, where teams must run race‑ready fuel loads and full engine maps. Mercedes will need to prove the speed isn’t a sand‑bagged showcase, while Red Bull will look to close any gap as the season kicks off in Melbourne.