F1: Russell Puts Mercedes on Top in 2025 Bahrain Pre-season Test

George Russell topped the final day of 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, securing Mercedes’ fastest lap at 1m29.545s. His late push on C3 tyres edged out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, though both fell short of Carlos Sainz’s Day 2 benchmark. Ferrari had a mixed day, with Charles Leclerc leading the morning session. However, Lewis Hamilton struggled in the afternoon, going off track multiple times before ending his session early with just 47 laps completed.

Russell, replacing Andrea Kimi Antonelli for the day, completed 91 laps, including a full race simulation. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri also ran a race-distance stint, though his pace seemed weaker than Lando Norris’s effort from the previous day.

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Red Bull did not complete a race simulation, sticking to a testing approach similar to 2024. Instead, Verstappen focused on performance runs late in the session, battling Russell, Alex Albon, and Piastri for the top spot.

The afternoon saw multiple lead changes. Pierre Gasly initially set the fastest lap for Alpine, but Verstappen and Albon quickly traded places at the top. Verstappen’s best lap of 1m29.566s briefly put him ahead until Russell reclaimed P1 in the final minutes.

There was late-session drama as Esteban Ocon spun at Turn 1, followed by Verstappen in a similar incident. With just minutes left, Russell returned to the track and set the final benchmark time.

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Hamilton finished sixth, behind Russell, Verstappen, Albon, Piastri, and Gasly. Yuki Tsunoda, Ocon, and Leclerc completed the top ten. Rising temperatures increased tyre wear, making it tough for drivers to improve lap times.