Russell Sets Testing Benchmark as Teams Complete Bahrain Morning Session
George Russell set the fastest time of F1 pre-season testing so far for Mercedes on the final morning in Bahrain, with Lewis Hamilton close behind for Ferrari. The session was marked by Mercedes' recovery from an engine issue and productive running for most teams, while Cadillac continued to struggle with pace and reliability.
George Russell set the fastest lap of Formula 1's pre-season testing so far, topping the timesheets for Mercedes on the final morning in Bahrain. His 1m33.918s, set on the soft C3 tyre, was the only lap to dip below the 1m34s mark, with Lewis Hamilton close behind for Ferrari. The session provided crucial data as teams completed their final preparations before next week's season opener.
Why it matters:
Pre-season testing times are notoriously difficult to interpret, but lap totals and reliability are key indicators of a team's winter progress. Mercedes making up for lost time after an engine change and Ferrari showing consistent pace with Hamilton are positive early signs. Conversely, Cadillac's ongoing struggles with both pace and reliability raise immediate concerns for the American outfit's competitive level.
The details:
- Mercedes' Recovery: After losing most of Thursday morning to an engine change on Kimi Antonelli's car, Mercedes rebounded strongly. George Russell completed 78 laps—the second-highest tally of the session—and set the testing benchmark.
- Ferrari's Consistency: Lewis Hamilton slotted into second, just 0.291s behind Russell, during a solid 69-lap run for the Scuderia. He is scheduled to return to the car for the afternoon session.
- Productive Running: Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Haas rookie Ollie Bearman finished third and fourth, focusing on their programs. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) was the busiest driver, completing 84 laps.
- Cadillac's Troubles: Valtteri Bottas caused the session's only red flag early on and ended the morning slowest, with only 37 laps completed—the lowest total by a significant margin.
What's next:
The final afternoon of testing is now underway, offering teams a last chance to validate setups and conduct race simulations before cars enter parc ferme for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The true competitive order will only be revealed in qualifying next Friday, but the test has provided early narratives on reliability and potential pace.
Day Three Morning Session Times:
- George Russell (Mercedes) 1:33.918, 78 laps
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 1:34.209, 69 laps
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:35.341, 61 laps
- Ollie Bearman (Haas) 1:35.972, 70 laps
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 1:36.390, 73 laps