2025 F1 Testing Results – Key Insights and Performance Analysis
2025 F1 Testing Results – Who’s fast, Who’s Struggling, and What’s Next? We take a closer look.
George Russell posted the fastest lap on the final day of testing, while Carlos Sainz Jr. set the quickest time overall for Williams. However, headline lap times often do not tell the full story. The competitive order became clearer over three days of running in Bahrain which will make the odds on non Gamstop sports betting clearer.
McLaren Shows Strong Pace
McLaren emerged as the early favorite after a consistent display across all three days. The long runs suggested a small but significant advantage, with Oscar Piastri delivering an impressive race simulation on the final day.
His first stint was around half a second faster than Russell’s Mercedes. While they were more closely matched in the later stints, Piastri was running the slower C1 tire compared to Russell’s C2 compound. Some teams expressed concerns over the speed of the McLaren, particularly due to the movement of its rear wing.
Mercedes vs Ferrari
Mercedes and Ferrari appeared closely matched, though they achieved their lap times in different ways. Ferrari was faster on the straights and had better corner exits, while Mercedes gained time on corner entry.
Both teams completed extensive runs, but one key difference was in braking performance. The Ferrari suffered from understeer when the front end lost grip, whereas the Mercedes was prone to lock-ups, particularly in the hands of Russell and Antonelli.
A disrupted race simulation for Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari left some unanswered questions, but early indications suggested he was more comfortable than he had been in the Mercedes over the past two seasons.
Red Bull Struggles with Balance
Red Bull faced unexpected challenges despite Max Verstappen posting the second-fastest time on the final day. A water leak affected Liam Lawson’s full-day run on Thursday, limiting data collection. Throughout testing, Red Bull experimented heavily with setup changes, wing configurations, and floor designs, but the car did not appear as balanced as expected.
Trackside observations revealed multiple occasions where flow-vis paint was applied to different areas of the sidepods, a rare move so late in testing. This suggested that Red Bull was still searching for answers. Technical director Pierre Wache admitted the test was not as smooth as anticipated, and the team had not made as much progress as hoped.
If the field remains as close as it appeared in Bahrain, Red Bull’s margin of dominance from previous seasons may be at risk.
The Midfield Battle
Williams Impresses
Williams showed significant improvement, even though its fastest lap came under favorable conditions. The FW47 appeared responsive and competitive, placing it in the mix with Alpine. Both teams looked stronger than the rest of the midfield, with Williams in particular demonstrating a car that was easier to drive.
Despite running a softer tire and a lighter fuel load in some runs, the consistent performance suggested Williams had taken a step forward.
Aston Martin Falls Short
Aston Martin struggled to make the progress it needed after a disappointing end to 2024. Fernando Alonso indicated that the car felt similar to its Abu Dhabi performance, which was not competitive enough to fight for podiums.
While the team made the car easier to drive, outright pace remained an issue. There were reports in the paddock that Alonso was unhappy, raising concerns about whether the team had done enough over the winter.
Sauber in Trouble
Sauber appeared to be at the back of the grid after a difficult test. The car was described as stiff and hard to drive, raising concerns about its performance window. Nico Hülkenberg acknowledged the struggles but remained guarded in his comments.
Based on the data, Sauber would likely be eliminated in Q1 if a race weekend had taken place immediately after testing.
Mini-DRS Controversy Returns
Technical discussions emerged on the final day regarding flexi-wings and the return of the “mini-DRS” effect. Onboard footage showed certain wings rotating to reduce drag at high speeds. McLaren and Ferrari attracted attention for potential flexing in the main plane of their rear wings, which could provide a straight-line speed advantage.
The FIA had already taken steps to prevent this after McLaren’s advantage last season, leading to regulatory changes over the winter. However, early signs indicated teams may have found new ways to exploit this concept. No formal protests were lodged, but further scrutiny is expected at the first race in Australia.
Rookies Face Testing Limitations
Limited testing time placed extra pressure on rookies making their F1 debuts. Carlos Sainz voiced concerns about how little time drivers get behind the wheel before a season begins. Some rookies had extensive private testing in older cars, but others had far less preparation.
Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar faced the steepest learning curves, having completed minimal running before arriving in Bahrain. With only one day in 2023 cars before official testing, both will be under pressure in the opening races.
Haas Faces Bodywork Issues
Haas focused on long-run performance rather than outright pace, but a recurring bodywork issue created setbacks. A modification made over the winter proved too aggressive, causing sidepod bodywork to detach twice during the test.
Team boss Ayao Komatsu insisted the problem was fixable, but Haas will need to reinforce the affected areas before Melbourne.
Early 2025 Performance Ranking
The first test provided a clear indication of the competitive order. Based on long-run pace and overall consistency, the rankings appeared as follows:
| Position | Team | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses |
| 1st | McLaren | Strong race pace | Rear instability |
| 2nd | Mercedes | Corner entry speed | Braking issues |
| 3rd | Ferrari | Straight-line speed | Understeer tendencies |
| 4th | Red Bull | Potential top speed | Balance inconsistencies |
| 5th | Williams | Midfield leader | Reliant on soft tyre runs |
| 6th | Alpine | Consistent performance | Lacks top-end speed |
| 7th | Aston Martin | Easier to drive | Not fast enough |
| 8th | Haas | Reliable long runs | Bodywork issues |
| 9th | Sauber | Some improvements | Slowest on the grid |
Conclusion
McLaren set the early pace, while Red Bull faced unexpected struggles. Mercedes and Ferrari appeared evenly matched, and Williams emerged as a strong midfield contender. Sauber faced the toughest challenge, and rookies had limited preparation.
Attention now turns to Australia, where the first race of the season will confirm whether testing trends hold true or if teams have been hiding their true potential.
FAQ
Which team was the fastest in testing?
McLaren appeared to have the strongest overall pace, with Oscar Piastri delivering the best long-run performance on the final day.
What problems did Red Bull face?
Red Bull struggled with balance issues and spent much of the test making adjustments. A water leak also limited its early running.
How did Mercedes and Ferrari compare?
They were closely matched, with Ferrari excelling on straights and Mercedes performing better in corners. Both teams had braking concerns.
What was the biggest surprise from testing?
Williams showed significant improvement and emerged as one of the strongest midfield teams, challenging Alpine.
Which team had the worst performance?
Sauber appeared to be at the back of the grid, struggling with stiffness and a narrow performance window.
What is the Mini-DRS controversy?
Some teams, including McLaren and Ferrari, were suspected of using flexible rear wings to reduce drag. This will likely be investigated further.