NEW DELHI: Carlos Sainz set the pace on Day 2 of the F1 Bahrain Test, posting the fastest lap of the session. The Williams driver clocked a 1m29.348s on C3 tyres, narrowly edging out Lewis Hamiltonโs morning benchmark by just 0.031s.
Sainz initially set a 1m29.366s lap shortly after lunch before shaving off a fraction more time. Despite a late spin while pushing on C4 tyres, he remained the quickest driver of the day, completing an impressive 127 laps, the highest of anyone on the grid.
A brief shower before nightfall had little impact on running, though an earlier downpour before lunch disrupted proceedings for about an hour.
Once Sainz claimed the top spot, most teams switched focus to race simulations rather than chasing lap times.
Norris, Leclerc, and Mercedes Duo Follow Closely
Lando Norris made a late attempt to challenge Sainzโs time. He showed strong pace in the middle sector but ran wide at Turn 14, aborting his lap.
Ferrariโs Charles Leclerc took over from Hamilton in the afternoon and ended the day in third, just 0.05s off Sainz. The Monegasque also had a spin at Turn 14 but recovered to complete 83 laps.
George Russellโs morning time kept him in fourth, finishing just 0.006s ahead of rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The young Mercedes driver showed promise but also had a few off-track moments as he adapted to F1 machinery.
With one day left in testing, teams continue fine-tuning their setups for the season opener.
Driver Reactions from Day 2
Carlos Sainz (Williams):
โThe car felt good today. Weโve made significant progress, and Iโm looking forward to the season ahead.โ
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari):
โIโm really enjoying my new Ferrari. The handling is a clear improvement over last yearโs Mercedes. Itโs been a positive experience adapting to the new setup.โ
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) (on his rumored tension with Norris):
โI didnโt hear any boosโmaybe Iโm just deaf! As for Lando and me, we get along fine. No pub fights to report.โ
Lando Norris (McLaren):
โMax and I have a good relationship. Weโre competitive on track, but thereโs mutual respect.โ
James Vowles (Williams Team Principal):
โCarlos has made the car faster. His feedback is precise, leading to quick and effective adjustments.โ
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin):
โThe morning rain limited our running time, but we gathered important data. The car shows potential.โ
F1 Bahrain Test 2025: Day 2 Timing Sheet (Top 5)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) โ 1m29.348s | 127 laps
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) โ 1m29.379s | 45 laps
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) โ 1m29.431s | 83 laps
- George Russell (Mercedes) โ 1m29.778s | 71 laps
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) โ 1m29.784s | Laps not specified
Day 2 of F1 Bahrain Test provided key insights into team performance. Williams emerged as a surprising frontrunner, while Ferrari and Mercedes remained in the fight. With one day of testing left, teams will fine-tune their setups before the season opener in Bahrain on March 2, 2025.
Stay tuned for Day 3 updates, where final adjustments could reveal the true pecking order for the upcoming season.
