Carlos Sainz from Williams topped the charts on Day Two of pre-season Formula 1 testing, narrowly edging out Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by just 0.031 seconds. Sainz’s impressive performance solidifies Williams’ growing confidence, with his teammate Charles Leclerc also showcasing Ferrari’s capabilities by securing third place, just a fraction behind Hamilton.
Hamilton’s best lap came during the morning session when track conditions were less favorable, signaling a positive adjustment period as he adapts to his new team. “It’s been a really productive couple of days,” Hamilton stated. “Despite a few weather interruptions, we managed to accomplish a lot. My focus is on getting integrated into the team and the car feels good on track.”
Mercedes maintained a solid presence with George Russell finishing fourth and Kimi Antonelli in fifth, although Antonelli experienced some difficulties with minor lock-ups during his runs. The morning did witness a rare incident as Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg had a light brush at Turn Eight.
Norris Highlights McLaren’s Potential
Intermittent rain created challenging conditions at the Bahrain International Circuit, but Lando Norris of McLaren demonstrated notable promise during longer stints. Despite placing 14th on the leaderboard, Norris’s race simulation drew significant attention for its pace and consistency, suggesting McLaren’s potential for strong performance this season.
Leclerc and Antonelli also conducted race simulations, yet both were found to be a second per lap slower than Norris, highlighting McLaren’s comparative advantage in long-run pace and tire management.
Red Bull’s Liam Lawson faced some challenges with only 89 laps completed due to a water pressure issue and subsequent maintenance in the car. The team is expected to reveal its full race simulation capabilities with reigning champion Max Verstappen taking over the car for the final day of testing.
Day Two Testing Results
Timesheet:
1) Carlos Sainz, Williams, 1:29.348, 127 laps
2) Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 1:29.379, 45 laps
3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:29.431, 83 laps
4) George Russell, Mercedes, 1:29.778, 71 laps
5) Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 1:29.784, 87 laps
6) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, 1:30.229, 57 laps
7) Liam Lawson, Red Bull, 1:30.252, 91 laps
8) Jack Doohan, Alpine, 1:30.368, 80 laps
9) Pierre Gasly, Alpine, 1:30.430, 40 laps
10) Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, 1:30.675, 94 laps
11) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, 1:30.700, 45 laps
12) Yuki Tsunoda, Racing Bulls, 1:30.793, 46 laps
13) Oscar Piastri, McLaren, 1:30.821, 44 laps
14) Lando Norris, McLaren, 1:30.882, 77 laps
15) Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber, 1:31.057, 80 laps
16) Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, 1:31.457, 56 laps
17) Esteban Ocon, Haas, 1:33.071, 69 laps
18) Oliver Bearman, Haas, 1:34.372, 66 laps
*Denotes drivers who participated in both Thursday sessions.
Upcoming Events in Formula 1
The first race of the season will be held in Melbourne at the Australian Grand Prix from March 14-16, marking a return to Australia since 2019, due to Ramadan scheduling. With 24 events on the calendar, the season will conclude at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 5-7.
Stay tuned for live coverage of the 2025 Formula 1 season, starting with the Australian Grand Prix.
