Antonelli leads Bahrain F1 pre-season testing as teams focus on data collection

The 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing kicked off at the Bahrain International Circuit, with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli setting the fastest time in the morning session at 1:31.428. Lewis Hamilton made his debut with Ferrari, finishing fifth on the timesheet while showcasing his new car. Red Bull's Liam Lawson had a mixed session, briefly losing control and spinning but ultimately securing the second-fastest time, just 0.1 seconds behind Antonelli. All teams participated in the session, gathering vital data on their new machines without significant technical issues reported. The testing serves as a critical opportunity for teams to evaluate their performance ahead of the first race in Australia on March 16. Driver exchanges are planned throughout the day to maximize testing time and insights.