Russell drops the hammer on final day

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Mercedes star edges Verstappen as Williams and McLaren show strong pre-season form

• Russell fastest with 1:29.545, Mercedes completes 91 laps
• Verstappen finishes second, just 0.021s behind
• Hamilton struggles with Ferrari, finishing sixth

George Russell delivered a statement performance for Mercedes on the third and final day of Formula 1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, pipping Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to claim the fastest time yesterday. As teams wrapped up their preparations for the 2025 season opener in Melbourne, the Sakhir circuit hosted a day of mixed fortunes, warmer conditions, and late drama, setting the stage for an intriguing Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16.

Day 3 saw teams battle rising temperatures—approximately 4°C higher than Day 2—which challenged tyre life on Bahrain’s abrasive surface. The morning session (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM) was dominated by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who set a strong pace with a 1:30.811 over 66 laps, signaling the Scuderia’s intent. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also impressed early, posting a 1:30.459 on C3 tyres, later refining it to 1:30.282 with over two hours left in the afternoon.

The afternoon (3:00 PM to 7:00 PM) shifted gears as top teams unleashed performance runs. Russell, replacing Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, logged an impressive 91 laps—including a full race simulation—before a last-gasp 1:29.545 on C3 tyres with seven minutes remaining secured him the day’s top spot. Verstappen, who had briefly led with a 1:29.566 on C3s, settled for second, just 0.021 seconds adrift after 81 laps. Williams’ Alex Albon rounded out the top three with a 1:29.650 on C4 tyres, underlining the team’s unexpected pace following Carlos Sainz’s Day 2 benchmark of 1:29.335.

Russell Shines, Hamilton Struggles

George Russell in his Mercedes set the fastest time, recording a 1:29.545. However, this time was slightly slower than Carlos Sainz’s Day 2 time due to warmer conditions affecting tire performance. Russell completed 91 laps, including a race simulation, demonstrating Mercedes’ reliability and pace.

Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, posted a competitive 1:29.566 and completed 81 laps.

Day 3 Leaderboard: Top 10
George Russell (Mercedes) - 1:29.545, 91 laps
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:29.566, +0.021, 81 laps
Alex Albon (Williams) - 1:29.650, +0.105, 137 laps
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 1:29.940, +0.395, 85 laps
Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 1:30.040, +0.495, 84 laps
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 1:30.345, +0.800, 47 laps
Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) - 1:30.497, +0.952, 87 laps
Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 1:30.728, +1.183, 103 laps
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:30.811, +1.266, 66 laps
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 1:30.888, +1.343, 61 laps

Red Bull opted out of a full race simulation, similar to their 2024 Bahrain test strategy. Late performance laps suggested a focus on qualifying pace, though they experienced balance issues earlier in the day.

Alex Albon in his Williams impressed with a 1:29.650 on C4 tires and completed a substantial 137 laps, reinforcing Williams’ strong form. Following Sainz’s Day 2 lead, Williams’ total of 350 laps positions them as potential midfield contenders.

Oscar Piastri of McLaren recorded a 1:29.940 and completed 85 laps, including a race simulation, surpassing his teammate Lando Norris’ Day 2 performance despite challenging conditions. McLaren finished the test with a solid 340-lap total.

Lewis Hamilton’s final half-day with Ferrari was less successful. He went off track multiple times during early long runs and completed only 47 laps, with a best time of 1:30.345. He finished sixth before retiring to the garage, marking an uncharacteristic setback for the seven-time world champion.

Spins and Tyre Challenges

The day wasn’t without hiccups. With 30 minutes left, Haas’ Esteban Ocon spun at Turn 1 during the team’s first performance run, followed shortly by Verstappen at the same corner—both incidents raising eyebrows but causing no red flags. Earlier, Hamilton’s off-track excursions disrupted Ferrari’s rhythm. Warmer temperatures exacerbated tyre wear, with drivers struggling to warm C4 compounds, impacting push laps and keeping times below Day 2’s peak.

Reliability and Surprises

The event revealed varying levels of reliability and performance across the teams. Mercedes demonstrated strong reliability, completing 390 laps over the three days, with George Russell setting the fastest time on the final day. Rookie Kimi Antonelli also contributed 61 laps.

Red Bull completed 380 laps, focusing more on performance runs than long-distance simulations, leaving some uncertainty about their race pace. However, Max Verstappen’s late surge in performance laps kept them in contention.

Williams emerged as a surprise contender, completing 350 laps and achieving top-three finishes on both the second and third days. This performance solidifies their position as a potential wildcard for the upcoming season.

Ferrari completed 370 laps, but Lewis Hamilton’s struggles on the final day overshadowed Charles Leclerc’s promising performance earlier in the test.

McLaren completed 340 laps, with Oscar Piastri’s performance boosting their overall competitiveness.

A Taste for Melbourne

Russell’s late flyer gives Mercedes momentum, but Red Bull’s consistency and Williams’ resurgence hint at a tight fight in Australia. Ferrari’s mixed day raises eyebrows, while McLaren’s steady progress keeps them in the hunt. The warmer Bahrain conditions tested adaptability—a key factor for Albert Park’s street circuit. With testing done, the season’s first real answers arrive in two weeks.