The highly anticipated 2025 Formula 1 season kicked off with the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain. Teams and drivers took to the track to gather crucial data, test new car upgrades, and assess performance under real conditions.
McLaren’s Lando Norris topped the timesheets with a fastest lap of 1:30.430, setting an impressive benchmark early on. George Russell in the Mercedes followed closely, just 0.157 seconds behind. Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen secured third place, showing Red Bull’s strong pace but leaving room for improvement.
Ferrari had a solid start, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Among the notable rookies, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson had promising outings.
Here’s a detailed look at the standings after Day 1 of testing:
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Lap Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:30.430 | 52 |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:30.587 | 70 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:30.674 | 74 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:30.878 | 71 |
| 5 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:30.955 | 68 |
| 6 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:31.353 | 72 |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:31.428 | 78 |
| 8 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull | 1:31.560 | 58 |
| 9 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:31.573 | 63 |
| 10 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | 1:31.610 | 77 |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:31.631 | 76 |
| 12 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | 1:31.690 | 59 |
| 13 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:31.834 | 70 |
| 14 | Jack Doohan | Alpine | 1:31.841 | 68 |
| 15 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:31.874 | 46 |
| 16 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:31.949 | 42 |
| 17 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:32.084 | 65 |
| 18 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber | 1:32.169 | 55 |
| 19 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:33.600 | 88 |
| 20 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:35.522 | 72 |
