Formula 1 News of the Week – March 3, 2025

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Formula 1, Pre-season, Bahrain, Testing, News

The 2025 Formula 1 season is officially on the horizon, and after months of speculation, development, and high-profile driver moves, the grid has finally hit the track for pre-season testing in Bahrain. With just a single three-day test before the season kicks off in Melbourne, teams had limited time to gather crucial data, fine-tune their setups, and evaluate their drivers’ performances.

The Bahrain International Circuit played host to all ten teams, with plenty of storylines unfolding over the course of the week. Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull traded fastest laps, while new partnerships, tire degradation concerns, and reliability issues shaped the outlook for the early part of the season.

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Formula 1’s 2025 Pres-Season Testing in Bahrain

Day 1: A Strong Start and Unexpected Challenges

The opening day of testing in Bahrain saw Lando Norris top the timesheets for McLaren, setting an impressive early benchmark. However, the real drama occurred off the track as a power outage at the circuit led to a red flag, forcing teams to halt their programs temporarily.

When the session resumed, teams focused on gathering baseline data, running a mix of performance and long-run simulations. George Russell placed Mercedes second on the timesheets, while Max Verstappen slotted into third, indicating that the top teams were evenly matched from the start.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton had a productive first day in their new SF-25, focusing on high-fuel runs rather than headline lap times. Carlos Sainz, in his Williams debut, completed 124 laps, making him the most active driver of the day.

Day 2: Ferrari Takes Charge

Ferrari flexed its muscles on the second day of testing, with Carlos Sainz posting the fastest time of the test so far (1:29.348) in the afternoon session. The Spaniard’s performance confirmed that Ferrari’s heavily revised SF-25 is capable of strong one-lap pace.

In the morning session, Lewis Hamilton continued to impress in Ferrari red, setting the fastest time of the session with a 1:29.379 before Sainz went quicker later in the day. The seven-time champion looked comfortable in his new surroundings, with Ferrari seemingly building a competitive package for the year ahead.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and Red Bull focused on long runs, completing over 120 laps and keeping their cards close to their chest. Mercedes ran an extensive program with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with Russell commenting that the W16 felt like a “step forward” compared to last year’s car.

One major concern, however, was tire degradation, particularly in the afternoon sessions. The abrasive Bahrain circuit exposed weaknesses in some teams’ setups, with multiple drivers reporting excessive wear on longer stints.

Day 3: Mercedes Strikes Late

The final day of testing saw the fastest lap of the week, as George Russell put Mercedes on top with a 1:29.545, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen by just 0.021s in the afternoon session. The Briton’s lap provided a morale boost for the Silver Arrows, indicating that Mercedes could be back in contention after a difficult 2024 season.

Earlier in the day, Charles Leclerc topped the morning session, setting a time of 1:30.811 as Ferrari continued to showcase impressive pace. Alex Albon delivered a strong run for Williams, securing third in the final standings of the test, while Oscar Piastri ensured McLaren remained competitive by placing fourth.

Teams spent much of Day 3 conducting race simulations, focusing on fuel loads, tire strategies, and setup refinements ahead of the season opener. However, reliability concerns emerged for some teams, including minor issues for Aston Martin and Alpine, who both faced brief stoppages due to technical gremlins.

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Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir, Formula 1, Seating Chart

Key Takeaways from Pre-Season Testing

✅ Ferrari Looks Quick, but Is It Enough?

  • Ferrari’s SF-25 topped two of the six sessions, with both Sainz and Leclerc leading the way.
  • Hamilton appears comfortable in his new car, and the Scuderia may finally have a contender for the championship.

✅ Mercedes Shows Late Speed

  • Russell’s fastest lap on Day 3 suggests that Mercedes has made clear gains from last season.
  • Andrea Kimi Antonelli put in a solid showing, completing over 300 laps across the three days.

✅ Red Bull Keeping a Low Profile

  • Verstappen never topped a session, but Red Bull focused on long-run pace, which suggests they could still have an edge in race conditions.
  • Liam Lawson had a trouble-free test, adjusting well to his new full-time Red Bull seat.

✅ Williams Impresses, Aston Martin Struggles

  • Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon delivered strong performances for Williams, which could be a dark horse this year.
  • Aston Martin endured a tricky test, struggling with reliability and tire degradation.

✅ Tire Wear Is a Major Factor

  • Several teams reported excessive tire degradation, particularly in the afternoon heat.
  • Pirelli’s 2025 tire compounds appear to be challenging to manage over long runs.

FIA Introduces Mandatory Two-Stop Rule for Monaco Grand Prix

In an effort to improve the spectacle of the Monaco Grand Prix, the FIA World Motor Sport Council has introduced a mandatory two-stop strategy for the 2025 race. The regulation, aimed at increasing strategic variety and reducing processional racing, will require all drivers to make at least two pit stops during the Grand Prix.

Key Changes:

  • All drivers must make at least two pit stops during the Monaco Grand Prix.
  • In dry conditions, teams must use at least three different sets of tires, incorporating a minimum of two different compounds.
  • Even in wet conditions, where only intermediate and wet tires are available, the two-stop rule will still apply.

The Monaco Grand Prix has historically been difficult for overtaking due to its narrow layout. By mandating two stops, the FIA aims to add more strategy-based competition, potentially creating more opportunities for changes in race order.

Drivers and teams will need to carefully consider how they approach the Monaco race weekend, as tire strategy could now play a decisive role in determining the race winner.

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Monaco Grand Prix, Formula 1, Seating Chart

Looking Ahead: The 2025 Season Opener

With pre-season testing wrapped up, teams will now head back to their factories to analyze data and make final tweaks before the first race of the year. The Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (March 14-16) will provide the first real test of where each team stands in terms of race pace and reliability.

Based on testing, it looks like we have a three-way fight between Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull, with McLaren and Williams ready to spring surprises. The countdown to the season opener is officially on!

Sources

The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to be one of the most competitive in recent history. Stay tuned as we get ready for lights out in Melbourne!

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