This is how all F1 teams stand after three days of testing in Bahrain
Red Bull Content Pool
Column
The three days of testing in Bahrain are over. Which teams got things right and which teams have work to do. Here are the conclusions for each team, what happened and what was said on and off the track.
McLaren
It is clear to everyone in the paddock that McLaren made the best impression in Bahrain. Whether it was short runs or long runs, McLaren was fast everywhere and, above all, consistent. Something many of the competitors could not match. On track, the McLaren also looked good, with only the slow corners proving not to be its greatest strength as in 2024.
Apart from what the competitors are saying about McLaren, a lot of confidence also stems from the words of the people within McLaren itself. Andrea Stella's eyes started twinkling when asked about the good longruns and there is also a lot of confidence internally in the team. Of course, 'it's only testing', but McLaren seems to be in the best shape for the Australian Grand Prix.
Ferrari
On Ferrari, opinions hugely differ. The overall feeling seems to be that Ferrari is in the group with Red Bull and Mercedes, just behind McLaren. The SF-25 still looks a bit uncomfortable on the track, unsettled in some of the sections. It all appears to come from the new front suspension.
Indeed, Ferrari opted for a pull-rod front suspension for 2025. In doing so, it took a cue from McLaren and Red Bull, but it was a risk in the final year of regulations. Ferrari seems to need to master the new front suspension first, but internally they do argue that there is more potential in the car with this front suspension. With the old concept, they thought they had already reached the ceiling. So perhaps a small step backwards for Ferrari, to develop through the year into perhaps the best car.
Red Bull Racing
At Red Bull Racing, there were many positive noises in the first few days. The car responded better to adjustments and had better balance overall. Yet the Austrians had several problems across the three days. A problem with the water pressure kept Liam Lawson in for a long time and on Friday Max Verstappen did not drive as many laps as you would expect.
Internally, Red Bull Racing is also unclear where they stand. Yes, they are in the group with Ferrari and Mercedes, but where exactly nobody knows.
Mercedes
Mercedes finished their programme in the shadows. George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli posted fast times, but at Mercedes they wonder if the car is faster, or if it's the low temperatures are at play again.
Indeed, in 2024 Mercedes was also good in cold conditions. Often much better than the rest. Now that is not the case. Toto Wolff therefore wondered aloud during the press conference whether they are less good, or whether they have solved the problem and will soon perform relatively better in hot conditions.
Alpine
At Alpine, everyone walked around with a smile. Whereas the 2024 winter test was a major fiasco for the French team and it was quickly stated that nothing should be expected, the team is now thinking of a fifth place in the pecking order. They may have continued the upward trend from 2024.
On track, the Alpine car looks a lot better than it did a year ago. The car bumps a little at the front axle at times, but otherwise looks good.
Haas
There were also happy faces at Haas. Haas followed its own programme, with visibly plenty of fuel in the car as in 2024. On track, at least, the car looked good. Few to no off-track moments and thus a car the drivers can push with. Ideal with two new drivers in the ranks.
Williams
Williams was identified as a possible top five or top six team after day two. Many people were impressed by Carlos Sainz's fast run. Internally, however, people at Williams were calm. Indeed, according to Sainz, there was not much more in it than that and he had seen Haas and Alpine complete better runs.
Still, Williams looks better than a year ago. Where James Vowles' team had slipped to ninth in the standings, it now looks to be part of the sub-top. That, complemented by a good line-up, could potentially mean points at the start of the season.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin is identified by almost everyone on the paddock as the team in less shape at the moment. The team drove few test kilometres, was in the garage more than it liked and was not particularly fast either.
On the third day, Fernando Alonso appeared before the media, where he did not leave an overly cheerful impression. Alonso did have to make an extra appearance for the afternoon programme when Lance Stroll proved too ill to finish his afternoon session after all.
Racing Bulls
Racing Bulls still seemed to struggle a bit with balance in Bahrain. The car of Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda looked very unsettled at times. Fast times were not set by Red Bull Racing's sister team either.
Stake
Stake's car did not look as bad as a year ago, but the green car is still one of the trickiest on track. The car can catch its drivers out at high and low speeds, which will make it difficult for Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto to squeeze everything out of it.
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels too!