Norris Tops Bahrain Test Morning Session as Ferrari Debuts Active Wing

Lando Norris set the fastest time of Formula 1's Bahrain pre-season test so far, edging out Max Verstappen in the morning session. The headlines, however, were split with Ferrari, which debuted a novel rotating rear wing before Lewis Hamilton's running was cut to just five laps by a chassis issue.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing times are notoriously deceptive, but session-topping laps and innovative car parts offer the first tangible clues about the competitive order and technical development race. Ferrari's early mechanical trouble with Hamilton is a stark reminder that reliability remains as critical as raw speed, especially for a team under immense pressure to perform.

The details:

• McLaren's Pace: Norris's best lap of 1m33.453s on the C3 tyre compound was just 0.006s quicker than George Russell's benchmark from the previous day, putting McLaren at the top of the timesheets.
• Ferrari's Mixed Day: The Italian team introduced a trick rear wing that rotates 180 degrees, a legal exploitation of F1's new active aerodynamics rules for 2025, which reverts to a standard position under braking.
  • This promising start was undermined when Lewis Hamilton's car was sidelined for most of the session with an unspecified chassis problem, limiting him to only five laps.
• Reliability Focus: Most teams, including Red Bull with Verstappen, concentrated on race simulations and long runs, making Norris's early lap time stand unchallenged.
• Mileage Leaders: George Russell (Mercedes, 77 laps) and Alex Albon (Williams, 71 laps) logged the most trouble-free mileage, a key testing objective.
• Other Setbacks: Audi's progress was hampered by a hydraulics issue for Gabriel Bortoleto, while Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) also lost significant garage time.

What's next:

The afternoon session will provide further data on long-run performance and reliability. All eyes will be on Ferrari to see if Hamilton can return for meaningful running and how the team manages its new component. While the single-lap order remains fluid, consistent mileage and problem-solving will be the true markers of preparation for next week's season opener.

F1 Bahrain Pre-Season Test - Day 5 Morning Results | Pos | Driver | Team | Best Lap | Gap | Laps | |-----|--------|------|----------|-----|------| | 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1m33.453s | — | 72 | | 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1m33.584s | +0.131s | 56 | | 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1m34.111s | +0.658s | 77 | | 4 | Alex Albon | Williams | 1m35.130s | +1.677s | 71 | | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 1m35.263s | +1.810s | 29 |