Mercedes dominates final day of first Bahrain F1 test with 1-2 finish
Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets as Mercedes finished 1-2 on the final day of F1's first pre-season test in Bahrain. Lewis Hamilton was third for Ferrari before a late stoppage, while lap counts revealed McLaren and Williams as the mileage leaders. The test provided early clues on performance and reliability ahead of the final test later this month.
Kimi Antonelli led a Mercedes 1-2 on the final day of Formula 1's first pre-season test in Bahrain, signaling a potentially strong start for the Silver Arrows. Teammate George Russell was second, with Lewis Hamilton third for Ferrari before a late stoppage brought out red flags. The session provided the first glimpse of competitive order and reliability as teams begin their final preparations for the 2025 season.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing times are notoriously difficult to interpret, but a team locking out the top two positions sends a clear message of intent. For Mercedes, which has struggled in recent seasons, a strong showing builds momentum and puts pressure on rivals like Ferrari and Red Bull. The lap counts also offer early insights into each team's reliability and preparation, with McLaren and Williams showing impressive mileage while others faced challenges.
The details:
- Mercedes on top: Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time of the test with a 1m33.669s, finishing 0.249s clear of teammate George Russell. They were the only drivers to dip below the 1m34s mark.
- Hamilton's mixed day: The Ferrari driver was third fastest but his session ended early when he stopped off track in the final minutes, potentially due to a fuel calculation issue while testing efficiency runs.
- Mileage leaders: Oscar Piastri completed the most laps on the day (160), helping McLaren tie Williams for the highest weekly lap total at 422. Ferrari was close behind with 421 laps.
- Red Bull's focus: Max Verstappen finished fifth, over 1.6 seconds off the pace, suggesting the reigning champions were focused on long-run data collection rather than outright lap time.
- Reliability varied: While most teams logged solid mileage, Aston Martin managed only 206 laps across the three days, indicating potential early teething problems.
What's next:
Teams will now analyze the data from this first test before the final three-day session begins on February 18th at the same Bahrain circuit. This second test is the last opportunity to refine cars and solve any issues before the season-opening Grand Prix on March 2nd. The competitive picture will become clearer, but Mercedes' strong start ensures all eyes will be on them to see if they can maintain this form.