Unpredictable Start to the Season: Norris and Leclerc Give Hamilton a Run for His Money
The first day of testing in Bahrain was nothing short of dramatic, with a sudden blackout bringing all activity to a halt. As the lights flickered back on, the real challenge began. Carlos Sainz, one of the drivers affected by the delay, managed to turn his luck around, securing an impressive fifth place after starting 13th. His performance was a highlight of the day, and he even came within half a second of the best time, set by Lando Norris. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton found himself almost a second off the pace, despite favorable conditions.
The Italian press is already predicting a tough start to the season for Hamilton, with Charles Leclerc looking strong. Leclerc’s performance was impressive, and his time of 0.956 seconds seems almost unbeatable. However, it’s essential to remain cautious and not underestimate Hamilton, a seven-time world champion with over 100 wins under his belt. As the saying goes, “you can’t count out a champion like Lewis.”
Aston Martin’s Mixed Bag
Fernando Alonso’s day began well, with the Aston Martin driver setting a promising time in the morning session. However, as the day wore on, his performance was overshadowed by technical issues, and he ended up 15th. His teammate, Stroll, fared slightly better, but the team’s overall performance was hindered by limited track time. Alonso completed just 46 laps, while Stroll managed 41, the lowest among all drivers. It’s unclear what problems they faced, but it’s a concern for the team.
On a more positive note, Aston Martin’s front wing design, featuring flexible elements similar to those used by McLaren and Ferrari in 2024, shows promise. This could be a key area of improvement for the team, and it will be interesting to see how they develop this technology further.
Mercedes and McLaren Impressing
Mercedes is looking strong, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli setting the pace in the morning session. Russell also showed impressive form, eventually securing the second-fastest time, just 0.107 seconds behind Norris. The McLaren driver’s performance was standout, with a blistering time of 1:30.430 on medium tires. This is almost a second faster than Verstappen’s time on the first day of testing in 2024, suggesting that McLaren is a force to be reckoned with.
Verstappen and Red Bull
Max Verstappen had a solid day, despite a minor hindrance from Russell that prevented him from taking the top spot. The Red Bull RB21 looks like an excellent car, and Verstappen’s performance bodes well for the team. He ended the day in third place, a promising start to the season.
The Bahrain Tests: A False Premise?
The testing schedule has come under scrutiny, with many arguing that the return to Barcelona would be a better option. The unpredictable weather conditions in Bahrain, combined with the blackout, have raised concerns that the data collected may be inaccurate. As Alonso warned, the results from these tests may not translate to the actual race in Melbourne. It’s possible that the teams may not have a clear understanding of their performance until they reach Australia. The debate about the testing schedule is likely to continue, and it will be interesting to see how the teams adapt to the challenges posed by the Bahrain tests.