Carlos Sainz topped Day 2 in Bahrain as Ferrari impressed, while Mercedes showed strong form. Red Bull and McLaren struggled for pace.
The second day of 2025 pre-season testing in Sakhir, Bahrain, delivered its share of surprises and drama. With unpredictable weather, aerodynamic tests, and race simulations, teams continued refining their cars ahead of the season opener.
A Morning Affected by Weather, with Ferrari on Top
From the start, the weather played an unexpected role, with low temperatures, strong winds, and even light rain. Not the conditions teams had anticipated in the Middle East, but they still took to the track at 8:00 AM for installation laps.
Despite a slightly slippery surface, Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) topped the morning session with a 1’29″379. He led George Russell (Mercedes), who was the most active driver with 71 laps, and Carlos Sainz (Williams), who was just 72 milliseconds behind.
A heavier rain shower around 9:30 AM briefly halted running, leaving only Haas and Aston Martin—both equipped with intermediate and wet tires—able to take advantage of the rare wet conditions in Bahrain. Once the rain stopped, the track dried quickly, allowing teams to resume their programs before the midday break.
Afternoon: Sainz Takes the Lead, Red Bull Struggles
The afternoon session saw a rotation of drivers in most teams, except for Sainz and Liam Lawson (Red Bull), who remained in their cars for the full day. Charles Leclerc took over from Hamilton at Ferrari and immediately showed strong pace, finishing third, just 83 milliseconds behind Sainz.
Sainz confirmed Williams’ strong form by setting the fastest lap of the day, 1’29″348, ahead of the Ferraris of Hamilton and Leclerc. A positive sign for the Grove-based team, which appears to be making strides compared to 2024.
Red Bull, however, endured a difficult day. A water pressure issue in the morning cost Lawson valuable time, limiting his running. He eventually finished seventh, but the team appears behind its usual standards.
Mercedes looked competitive in race pace. Russell completed extensive morning mileage, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli took over in the afternoon, finishing fifth, ahead of Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).
A Productive Day for Most Teams, Except Aston Martin
In terms of total laps, Mercedes led the way with 306, closely followed by Haas (295), emphasizing their focus on maximizing track time.
Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) also had a busy day, clocking 294 laps, with Isack Hadjar logging significant mileage in the afternoon. Ferrari completed 269 laps, while Alpine (260) and Williams (258) remained within the midfield average.
McLaren, however, looked off the pace. The British team managed just 239 laps over two days, significantly fewer than its direct competitors. Aston Martin had the least running with only 190 laps, a concerning figure given how crucial testing is for season preparation.
Day 2 Summary: Sainz on Top, Ferrari Solid, Mercedes Well-Positioned
- Fastest lap: Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1’29″348
- Top 3: Sainz (Williams), Hamilton (Ferrari), Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Most laps completed: Mercedes – 306 laps
- Team in trouble: Aston Martin – only 190 laps
- McLaren & Red Bull behind expectations: Low mileage, no standout performances
With just one more day of testing in Bahrain before the season opener, emerging trends are becoming clearer. Ferrari looks strong, Mercedes is in the mix, and Williams might be the surprise of pre-season. However, Red Bull and McLaren still have work to do ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
Stay tuned for the final day of testing tomorrow, featuring Max Verstappen’s first full simulation run in the Red Bull!
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Carlos Sainz | Williams Mercedes FW47 | 1:29.348 | 127 |
| 02 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari SF-25 | 1:29.379 | 45 |
| 03 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari SF-25 | 1:29.431 | 83 |
| 04 | George Russell | Mercedes W16 | 1:29.778 | 71 |
| 05 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes W16 | 1:29.784 | 87 |
| 06 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Mercedes AMR25 | 1:30.229 | 57 |
| 07 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull Honda RBPT RB21 | 1:30.252 | 91 |
| 08 | Jack Doohan | Alpine Renault A525 | 1:30.368 | 80 |
| 09 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault A525 | 1:30.430 | 40 |
| 10 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT VCARB 02 | 1:30.675 | 94 |
| 11 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Mercedes AMR25 | 1:30.700 | 45 |
| 12 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT VCARB 02 | 1:30.793 | 46 |
| 13 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes MCL39 | 1:30.821 | 44 |
| 14 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes MCL39 | 1:30.882 | 77 |
| 15 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Stake F1 Kick Sauber C45 | 1:31.057 | 80 |
| 16 | Nico Hülkenberg | Stake F1 Kick Sauber C45 | 1:31.457 | 56 |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas Ferrari VF-25 | 1:33.071 | 69 |
| 18 | Oliver Bearman | Haas Ferrari VF-25 | 1:34.372 | 66 |
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F1 2025 Testing in Sakhir Day 2 F1 2025 Testing in Sakhir Day 2 F1 2025 Testing in Sakhir Day 2
