The 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit concluded with George Russell of Mercedes topping the final day, signaling the teams’ readiness for the upcoming season. The excitement built as various teams and drivers put the final touches on their preparations, hoping to gain early competitive advantages.
Russell's performance on this last day marked him out as one of the strongest contenders heading to the first race. Meanwhile, reigning champion Max Verstappen was the only driver on the grid for Red Bull, utilizing the day exclusively to test and calibrate his car's performance. If his outstanding past season is any indication, Verstappen is shaping up to be yet another formidable adversary on the track.
Following closely behind Russell, Alex Albon of Williams maintained competitive momentum, finishing just one-tenth of a second off Verstappen. Albon's consistency and impressive showings throughout the testing period suggest he could be pivotal for Williams as they look to improve on last season's results.
Notably, Oscar Piastri clocked the fourth fastest time for McLaren, reaffirming his potential as he embarks on his second season. To round out the top five, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton made their marks, with Leclerc finishing strong during the final morning session before Russell's afternoon charge put him at the top of the timesheet.
Hamilton's sixth place finish was notable, as it was his last day of testing with Ferrari prior to the season opener. The iconic driver now faces the challenge of defining his role alongside Leclerc within the team, both of whom are eager to propel Ferrari back to championship contention.
The final morning saw Ferrari's Charles Leclerc emerge at the forefront as he registered the fastest lap of the morning session. His time of 1m30.811s highlighted Ferrari's promising pace, especially when coupled with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s strong performance, who finished just 0.077 seconds behind. Their early tussle for supremacy demonstrated the competitive spirit rife within teams at this stage.
While the timing screens showcased fast lap times, not all was smooth sailing on the track. Lando Norris, running for McLaren, grappled with the blustery conditions, resulting in some off-track moments, yet he managed to secure the third fastest time overall by the end of the day.
The winds were challenging for all drivers, as seen with Jack Doohan's solid showing for Alpine, finishing fifth, only three hundredths of a second off Verstappen—a performance compounded by the weather, which had drivers struggling with handling their cars.
Isack Hadjar, another promising talent, became the session's lap leader, logging 73 laps, the most of any driver on the final day, showcasing not just speed but endurance, key components for success as the season approaches.
Before concluding the day, there was also drama off the track, as a brief red flag interrupted the proceedings when a pane of glass broke from the race directors’ box, causing concern down the pitlane, though the delay was relatively short and allowed the drivers to resume testing shortly thereafter.
Gabriel Bortoleto, meanwhile, faced technical difficulties throughout his running, limiting his laps and overall feedback as he worked on establishing himself as part of the Sauber team. Despite this, the experience gained during testing is invaluable for all drivers as they continue to adapt to their new or updated cars.
With pre-season testing now complete, teams turn their focus to the opening race of the season. Insights gleaned from each driver’s performance will shape strategies moving forward. The excitement builds as fans await the action of the 2025 Formula 1 season, with all eyes on Bahrain, the stage set for intense battles on the track.