Almost ironically, Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton were the leading men in the second day of F1 pre-season testing.
What We’ve Learned from Day 2 of F1 Pre-Season Testing
The second day of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit offered valuable insights into the performance of Formula 1’s leading teams.
Ferrari’s new recruit, Lewis Hamilton, showcased his adaptability by setting the fastest lap in the morning session, clocking a 1:29.379 and completing 45 laps.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz impressed with a 1:29.348, leading the timesheets and completing 127 laps, indicating a potentially competitive package for the team.
Mercedes demonstrated consistent performance, with George Russell finishing 0.399 seconds behind Hamilton, completing 71 laps.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris focused on race simulations, showing promising results in tyre degradation management.
Red Bull faced technical challenges, with Liam Lawson encountering issues that limited his track time, but the team remains optimistic about their prospects.
The Current and Former Scuderia Drivers Steal the Headlines
On the second day of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sainz showcased impressive performance, leading the timesheets for his new team, Williams.
The man who replaced him at the Scuderia, Hamilton, had set the early benchmark during the morning session with a time of 1m 29.379s.
#F1TESTING: DAY 2, MORNING SESSION 👀#F1 pic.twitter.com/4ynLq5jF48
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 27, 2025
Hamilton’s transition to the Scuderia has been closely watched, and his immediate pace indicates a promising start with the team.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: F1 Pre-Season Testing Day 1: Antonelli and Norris Lead the Way
A Look into What 2025 Holds
The day’s sessions were not without challenges.
Sainz experienced a spin during his extensive running, and light drizzle in the afternoon led to cautious approaches from several drivers, including Charles Leclerc, who took over the Ferrari from Hamilton for the latter part of the day.
Mercedes’ George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli continued their consistent performances, securing fourth and fifth positions respectively. Their steady runs suggest that Mercedes is focusing on reliability and data collection during these initial sessions.
Red Bull faced some setbacks, with Liam Lawson encountering a water systems issue that limited his track time. Despite this, Lawson managed to place seventh, indicating potential once the technical gremlins are resolved.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso had a subdued session, finishing 11th. The team appears to be grappling with setup challenges, as Alonso’s feedback highlighted areas needing improvement before the season opener.
TOP 10 DRIVERS: PM SESSION
Sainz
Leclerc
Antonelli 📸
Doohan
Stroll
Norris
Lawson
Bortoleto
Bearman
Hadjar#F1Testing #F1 pic.twitter.com/PypEBnFBRL— Formula 1 (@F1) February 27, 2025
As testing progresses, teams are balancing performance runs with long-distance reliability tests. While lap times provide some insight, the true competitive order will only become clear as we approach the first race of the season.
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Day 2 Pre-Season Testing Results
| Position | Driver | Team | Laps | Time | Interval |
| 1 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 127 | 1’29.348 | — |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 45 | 1’29.379 | 0.031 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 83 | 1’29.431 | 0.083 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | 71 | 1’29.778 | 0.43 |
| 5 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 87 | 1’29.784 | 0.436 |
| 6 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 57 | 1’30.229 | 0.881 |
| 7 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull Racing | 91 | 1’30.252 | 0.904 |
| 8 | Jack Doohan | Alpine | 80 | 1’30.368 | 1.02 |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 40 | 1’30.430 | 1.082 |
| 10 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 94 | 1’30.675 | 1.327 |
| 11 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 45 | 1’30.700 | 1.352 |
| 12 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | 46 | 1’30.793 | 1.445 |
| 13 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 44 | 1’30.821 | 1.473 |
| 14 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 77 | 1’30.882 | 1.534 |
| 15 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 80 | 1’31.057 | 1.709 |
| 16 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber | 56 | 1’31.457 | 2.109 |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas F1 Team | 69 | 1’33.071 | 3.723 |
| 18 | Oliver Bearman | Haas F1 Team | 66 | 1’34.372 | 5.024 |
Last Chance for Teams to Fine-Tune
As we approach the final day of pre-season testing, teams are poised to fine-tune their setups and address any lingering issues before the season opener.
Norris has noted that the new McLaren feels similar to last year’s championship-winning model – a good place to start from.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has been marked by a renewed sense of optimism. The seven-time world champion has emphasised teamwork and aims to secure Ferrari’s first Drivers’ championship since 2007.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has expressed satisfaction with the RB21’s performance. The reigning world champion stated that “everything felt good” during his initial runs on Day 1.
As Day 3 unfolds, all eyes will be on how these developments translate into on-track performance, setting the stage for an exciting start to the 2025 Formula 1 season.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Nordphoto
Recording Date: 27.02.2025
