Leclerc Sets Fastest Time in Final Bahrain F1 Pre-Season Test
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari secured the fastest lap time at the concluding Formula One pre-season test held in Bahrain, just two weeks prior to the season opener. Demonstrating impressive pace, Leclerc clocked a time of 1 minute 31.992 seconds, finishing eight-tenths of a second ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, who placed second. Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell followed, each trailing by approximately one second.
During the final day of testing, several teams utilized soft tyres and low fuel loads to simulate qualifying conditions. Leclerc appeared particularly comfortable, pushing his Ferrari aggressively around the Bahrain circuit and establishing a benchmark time that stood unmatched.
Mercedes Shows Consistent Speed Despite Start Concerns
Mercedes and George Russell demonstrated consistent speed throughout all three pre-season tests, positioning themselves as strong contenders heading into the Australian Grand Prix. Russell expressed optimism about the car's performance and power unit improvements but acknowledged ongoing reliability challenges.
"The car’s feeling good. The new power units are feeling fast," Russell stated. "We’re making improvements every single day. However we need to keep on improving the reliability. I think we’ve got a lot of potential beneath us."
One notable aspect of the final test was the FIA's trial of a new race start procedure. Ferrari and Red Bull showed exceptional launch performance, while Russell admitted his starts had been subpar compared to previous seasons. He emphasized the importance of strong race starts in securing victories and recognized this as an area requiring attention.
"To win a race, you’ve also got to get off the line quite well," Russell explained. "Two starts I’ve made this week were worse than my worst ever start in . And Lewis down in P11 got into P1. So at this stage I don’t think it matters how quick you are. The thing that’s going to trip you up is going to be that tallest hurdle. And that’s what we’re trying to get our heads around right now. We’re stumbling on some at the moment."
Aston Martin Faces Difficult Pre-Season with Limited Running
Aston Martin endured a challenging pre-season, culminating in a disappointing final day at Bahrain. Despite high expectations under the guidance of designer Adrian Newey, the team faced significant setbacks. Their car was completed late, and they encountered numerous technical issues that severely limited track time.
On Thursday, Fernando Alonso lost approximately three hours of running due to a battery malfunction. The situation worsened on the final day when engine supplier Honda revealed that an extensive use of parts had depleted their available inventory. Consequently, Aston Martin was restricted to very short stints with mandatory half-hour intervals between runs. The team managed just six laps before deciding to end their session over two hours early.
