Lando Norris Sets the Pace on Day One of 2025 F1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain
The 2025 Formula 1 season is officially underway with pre-season testing taking place at the Bahrain International Circuit. As teams evaluate their new machinery, McLaren's Lando Norris made an early statement by setting the fastest lap time on the first day of testing.
McLaren Shows Early Promise
Lando Norris, entering his sixth season with McLaren, topped the timesheets with a lap time of 1:30.921, demonstrating the team's competitive edge in the early stages. McLaren has been working extensively over the winter break to refine their MCL39, focusing on aerodynamic efficiency and power unit optimization. Norris’ performance suggests that these efforts may be paying off, raising expectations for the upcoming season.
"It’s a good feeling to start testing on the right note," Norris said after the session. "The car feels strong, but we still have a lot to learn. It’s too early to make predictions, but we’re heading in the right direction."
Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli Impresses for Mercedes
Another standout performer was Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who set the fastest time in the morning session. The 18-year-old Italian, making his debut in F1 with Mercedes, showcased his potential by delivering a series of consistent and competitive lap times. Antonelli’s performance is particularly significant as he steps into the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
"We’re taking things one step at a time," Antonelli commented. "It’s an incredible experience to be driving for Mercedes, and I’m focused on adapting to the car and learning as much as possible before the first race."
Teams Fine-Tune Performance in Extended Testing
The opening day of testing saw teams conducting long and short-run simulations, analyzing tire degradation, and experimenting with new aerodynamic packages. The testing schedule has been extended this year to provide additional track time following previous disruptions.
Red Bull, the reigning champions, had a relatively quiet session, focusing on data collection rather than outright lap times. Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez completed a significant number of laps, working on race setup and reliability checks. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton concentrated on long-run pace, evaluating tire performance under varying fuel loads.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season Opener
With two more days of pre-season testing remaining, teams will continue refining their setups and gathering critical data ahead of the season opener at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 8. While early testing times are not always indicative of race performance, Norris’ pace-setting lap has certainly caught attention, signaling that McLaren could be a strong contender in the upcoming campaign.
As pre-season testing unfolds, all eyes will remain on Bahrain, where the true pecking order of the 2025 Formula 1 grid will begin to take shape.
