Kimi Antonelli Leads F1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain

During the first day of the 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, Kimi Antonelli, replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, topped the opening session with a quick lap of 1:31.428 and completed 78 laps. Hamilton, making his debut with Ferrari, finished fifth with a total of 70 laps, as he adjusted to his new team and car. Liam Lawson of Red Bull was second fastest, just 0.132 seconds behind Antonelli, while Alex Albon from Williams secured third place. Despite the impressive performances, teams are cautious about drawing conclusions due to varying fuel loads and tire compounds. The testing session is crucial for teams to gather data ahead of the season opener in Melbourne, with a total of three days scheduled for testing. Overall, the first day showed promise for both rookies and established drivers as they gear up for the competitive season ahead.