Following Formula 1’s landmark F175 Live launch event at London’s O2 Arena in mid-February, the serious business of testing got underway in Bahrain a week later. Over three days, all ten teams ran their new cars, collecting valuable data ahead of the 2025 season.
While lap times were recorded, they offered little clarity on the true pecking order, with teams running varying fuel loads, tire compounds, and setup configurations. Each team was limited to just one car on track at a time, requiring drivers to split running across the three days.
Each day featured two four-hour sessions, separated by a one-hour lunch break, with the floodlights of the Bahrain International Circuit allowing for evening running. However, this year’s test was not without its dramas. A local power failure on Day 1 plunged the track into darkness, temporarily halting proceedings. While the second day saw unseasonably cold and windy conditions, with rain even disrupting the morning session.
By the end of testing, Carlos Sainz set the fastest time overall in his Williams. However, deeper analysis suggests McLaren has emerged as the team to beat, with last year’s Constructors’ Champions appearing to hold the upper hand over Ferrari and Red Bull. But how accurate is this early prediction? The real answers will come when the lights go out in Melbourne…
