Formula 1 teams commenced their 2025 pre-season testing this week at the Bahrain International Circuit, with participants eager to assess their vehicles and gather valuable data leading up to the World Championship. The first day of testing kicked off with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc taking turns behind the wheel of Ferrari's new SF-25, where they experienced mixed results and optimism.
Initially, Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, expressed his satisfaction, stating to Sky Sports, "Everything is going well, and as a team we are focusing on how to optimize every roll on the track." His positive outlook reflects the collaborative effort of the team during the offseason. Meanwhile, Leclerc, who took over for the afternoon session, echoed this sentiment: "It’s always good to have a smooth session without unpleasant surprises affecting the work program. That said, it's still too early to draw conclusions about our performance. Now we analyze the data and learn. It’s nice to be back on track."
On Day 1 of the testing, Ferrari did not achieve the results they desired, with Leclerc finishing fourth and Hamilton thirteenth. Lando Norris from McLaren clocked the fastest time, raising eyebrows about the competition as testing is known to be less about final times and more about vehicle handling and performance development.
Day 2 of the tests started early, with the morning session commencing at 8:00 AM local time. The schedule included two four-hour sessions, with testing running until 5:00 PM, featuring regular breaks and allowing each driver ample time on track. Notably, weather conditions are expected to impact the program, as rain forecasts suggest potential interruptions.
Today's lineup featured some notable drivers as the morning session kicked off, including Hamilton and Leclerc from Ferrari, alongside other competitors such as George Russell from Mercedes and Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin. Such mix of talent adds to the anticipation surrounding the performance stories of today.
With Hamilton and Leclerc alternating during the two days of testing, their fruitful communication and analysis of shared experiences hope to refine the SF-25's performance. Hamilton reflected on the tests, saying, "The tests are always interesting; for the first time you see what the teams have developed and can begin to get familiar with the car and the year to come... It’s too early to really understand the absolute values, but everything seems to be going well."
Leclerc continued with optimism, noting, "The whole team has put maximum effort during the winter break, so it is exciting to start pushing again." Their proactive mentality is characteristic of top teams, accentuating how important pre-season testing is to gather initial insights before the competitive season begins.
The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship will officially kick off with the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled to occur from March 14 to 16, making this testing period critically valuable for teams to finalize their cars.
Across the testing, broadcasting details have been streamlined, as Sky Sports is set to provide comprehensive coverage. Viewers can follow the daily updates and live streams through Sky Go and NOW services, keeping fans connected to the developments on track.
It’s clear from the initial tests, drivers and teams are ready to overcome challenges and embrace the competitive nature of Formula 1. With improvements expected and each session generating data, both Ferrari and its drivers aim to set the tone for the upcoming season, making each day at the Bahrain circuit not just about speed, but also about strategic preparation.