Red Bull’s Car Handling Quest
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez of Red Bull Racing had a remarkable showing at the 2024 pre-season test in Bahrain, topping the charts on the opening day by a significant margin. However, this performance was partly due to the underperformance of their rivals. Beneath the surface, the RB20 was far from perfect. Max Verstappen struggled with the car’s handling, often veering off the track, while Sergio Perez faced a string of reliability issues that would become a recurring theme throughout the season. This year, Red Bull has dedicated the winter months to addressing these problems, focusing on improving the car’s handling and reducing drag on its rear wings. As the team rolls out the RB25 for testing, the results will be closely scrutinized. Despite the "it’s only testing" mantra often repeated by teams and drivers, the data and analysis gathered will provide crucial insights into their competitive standing. The team’s progress will be evident in the car’s performance and reliability, setting the tone for the upcoming season.
McLaren Ending Its Bahrain ‘Curse’
McLaren, the so-called ‘home’ team in Bahrain due to the country’s sovereign wealth fund’s ownership of its parent group, has had a tumultuous relationship with the Sakhir track. In 2022, the team was hit by a double whammy when Daniel Ricciardo was sidelined by a COVID-19 diagnosis, and Lando Norris’s testing was hampered by a brake issue. The following year, McLaren recorded the lowest number of laps among all teams. The 2024 season offered a glimmer of hope with a mid-year turnaround, but the Bahrain Grand Prix proved disappointing again, plagued by issues like fuel system detritus that interfered with Norris’s race simulation. Given these challenges, the performance of the MCL39 this week will be a critical indicator of the team’s form. McLaren’s goal is to have a smooth and fast testing period, ensuring they are well-prepared for the season opener in Melbourne, where they aim to build on their reigning constructors’ championship status.
How the Rookies Fare in Their New Machines
The 2025 Formula 1 grid is a mix of experienced drivers and fresh talent, with rookies making up 30% of the lineup. Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, and Jack Doohan, who have collectively participated in just 15 F1 races, form half of the new rookie crop. Unlike their peers, they have not undergone a full pre-season testing cycle before. However, their experience, albeit limited, means they are slightly more familiar with the pressures and expectations of F1. The real newcomers, Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, will be under intense scrutiny. Antonelli, in particular, is replacing the legendary Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, and his performance will be a key focus. The Bahrain test will provide a crucial opportunity for these drivers to gel with their new teams and gain valuable experience before the serious racing begins.
Hamilton and Ferrari Back in the Full F1 Spotlight
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been the buzz of the 2025 pre-season. This is Hamilton’s third new start in F1, but the context is entirely different from his debuts with McLaren in 2007 and Mercedes in 2013. In 2007, Hamilton logged nearly 5,000 miles of testing before his debut, and in 2013, he had the luxury of three, four-day pre-season tests. This time around, Hamilton has just 1.5 days to acclimatize with the SF-25, and his filming day last week at Fiorano was conducted on demonstration tires with limited mileage. The Bahrain test is his first real chance to assess the car and team fully. Every lap Hamilton takes will be watched closely, and any signs of the Hamilton-Ferrari partnership gelling—or not—will make headlines. Ferrari’s performance will also be a key indicator of how the team has adapted to its new superstar driver and whether they can challenge the front-runners.
Shock Developments in the Cool Tech War
While the 2025 season sees minimal changes to the aerodynamic rules, the Bahrain test will still be a proving ground for innovative technologies. Midfield teams are likely to push their development efforts to the limit in the initial phase of the 2025 campaign before redirecting resources toward the 2026 season. Expect to see various launch-car specifications and modifications as teams aim to optimize their designs. This week’s testing could also witness some unexpected developments, much like Mercedes’s dual-axis steering system (DAS) that stunned the paddock in 2020. Teams will be keen to showcase their technical advancements and gather data on their flexible wings, which will be further regulated at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix. Paying close attention to speed track figures and onboard camera footage during the test could offer a glimpse into the latest tech innovations.
Mercedes Finally Breaks Cover
Mercedes, traditionally cautious with its pre-season preparations, is taking a different approach this year. On February 24, the team will conduct a filming day at the Bahrain International Circuit, a departure from its usual Silverstone venue. This strategy is a response to the challenges faced since 2022, including poor car designs and adverse weather conditions. The filming day will allow Mercedes to complete early installation work, giving them a head start on the opening morning of testing. Similarly, Aston Martin will run Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll in the AMR25 for the same purpose. Both teams aim to maximize their testing time and gather critical data to refine their cars. With the season opener moving to Melbourne, the importance of this pre-season test is heightened. Teams need to squeeze in as many laps as possible to ensure their cars are in optimal condition before the first race. Racing Bulls’ team principal Laurent Mekies noted, “it’s perhaps a bit more tricky than [when] you just test and race immediately the week after,” underscoring the significance of this week’s event.
Testing Being More Important This Time Around
The 2025 pre-season test in Bahrain is more crucial than ever. Teams will not leave their cars in the Sakhir paddock until the first practice session of the opening round, meaning they have a limited window to gather and analyze data. The usual routine of lining up new cars and drivers for promotional shots for Netflix’s "Drive to Survive" will still occur, but the focus will quickly shift to maximizing track time. The opening morning will see numerous cars equipped with aero load-measuring rakes as photographers and videographers capture the initial moments. However, the primary objective is to run as many reliable laps as possible, allowing engineers to address any issues promptly. The switch to Melbourne for the season opener adds an extra layer of pressure, as teams won’t have the luxury of returning to the same track for immediate data implementation. Fans can expect a more intense and productive testing period, with the results likely to influence the season’s early dynamics.
