Recap updates and reaction from day two of Formula One’s sole preseason test in Sakhir ahead of the new season

Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain has concluded, offering a glimpse into the upcoming season’s dynamics. F1 pre-season testing saw a good mix of teams share the headlines, with Ferrari, McLaren,

The 2025 F1 season gets underway this week as Bahrain hosts the official three-day pre-season test for all 10 teams. It is the fifth year running that the Bahrain International Circuit hosts the pre-season test, as momentum builds towards the first race of the season, in Australia, on 16 March.

George Russell finished fastest on the final day of preseason testing ahead of the 24-race 2025 season. The Mercedes driver posted a 1:29.545 in the afternoon session, which was still slower than the testing benchmark set by the Williams of Carlos Sainz on Thursday.

The 10 teams will run their new cars properly for the first time across a sole, three-day pre-season test in Bahrain. It marks the only time that the teams can run their new 2025 challengers with unrestricted mileage ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 16 March.

George Russell has posted the fastest time on the final day of Formula 1 preseason testing in Bahrain after the afternoon session was briefly interrupted when a shuttle bus drove on the track.

George Russell wrapped up Formula One's third and final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain with Mercedes on top after he went faster than reigning world champion Max Verstappen in the closing minutes on Friday.

The third and final day of F1 pre-season testing is complete. The lights went out in Bahrain, with Charles Leclerc and George Russell leading the timesheets.

The absence of Max Verstappen on Day 2 of the 2025 pre-season testing in Bahrain raised questions among fans and pundits alike. However, Red Bull’s Technical Director, Pierre Wache, has now provided clarity on the situation.