The 2025 F1 testing in Bahrain was a success for most teams involved, however, there were some storylines that developed throughout the three-day period. One of these is undoubtedly that the second-favourite to win the Drivers Championship, Max Verstappen, failed to complete a full race simulation, which has cast some doubts over his readiness and the readiness of Red Bull, who have since admitted that they have a few problems to iron out.
On this page, you can find the results from the F1 testing event in Bahrain, including the different lap times for drivers and teams, alongside the key narratives from the event. We also take a look at how you can bet on Formula 1 online with BetVictor, with our site offering comprehensive coverage of all races throughout the year!
Formula 1 Testing Results
Before we take a detailed dive into the results from key drivers and teams, here’s a quick look at the fastest laps achieved in the Bahrain test event:
Fastest Laps by Driver
The fastest laps for each driver were rather unpredictable, with Lando Norris, the current favourite to win the Drivers Championship according to the latest F1 odds, finishing towards the bottom of the leaderboard. However, this wasn’t entirely representative of his performance throughout the test event, as Lando set the pace and finished the first day on top of the pack.
1. Carlos Sainz (Leader – 1 minute 29.348 seconds)
2. Lewis Hamilton (+0.031 seconds)
3. Charles Leclerc (+0.083 seconds)
4. George Russell (+0.197 seconds)
5. Max Verstappen, (+0.218 seconds)
6. Alex Albon (+0.302 seconds)
7. Kimi Antonelli (+0.436 seconds)
8. Oscar Piastri (+0.592 seconds)
9. Pierre Gasly (+0.692 seconds)
10. Lance Stroll (+0.881 seconds)
11. Liam Lawson (+0.904 seconds)
12. Jack Doohan (+1.020 seconds)
13. Yuki Tsunoda (+1.149 seconds)
14. Isack Hadjar (+1.327 seconds)
15. Fernando Alonso (+1.352 seconds)
16. Esteban Ocon (+1.380 seconds)
17. Lando Norris (+1.534 seconds)
18. Gabriel Bortoleto (+1.709 seconds)
19. Nico Hulkenberg (+2.109 seconds)
20. Ollie Bearman (+3.013 seconds)
Fastest Laps by Team
As for the teams, Williams Racing narrowly led the way against Ferrari, with Red Bull not performing as anticipated:
1. Williams Racing – 1 minute 29.348 seconds
2. Ferrari – 1 minute 29.379 seconds
3. Mercedes – 1 minute 29.545 seconds
4. Red Bull – 1 minute 29.566 seconds
5. McLaren – 1 minute 29.940 seconds
6. Alpine – 1 minute 30.040 seconds
7. Aston Martin – 1 minute 30.229 seconds
8. Racing Bulls – 1 minute 30.497 seconds
9. Haas – 1 minute 30.728 seconds
Overview of 2025 Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain
The 2025 Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain showed clear winners and losers across the grid. McLaren topped the timesheets, while Sauber faced major setbacks during the three-day event at Bahrain International Circuit.
McLaren’s Impressive Performance
McLaren dominated the 2025 F1 testing in Bahrain with remarkable results. Lando Norris showed superior pace on Day 2, finishing a full 30 seconds ahead of both Ferrari and Mercedes during race simulations.
Oscar Piastri added to the team’s strong performance on Day 3 by outpacing George Russell. This exceptional showing has placed McLaren as the team to beat heading into the new season.
Both drivers pointed out they still need a better rear grip, suggesting McLaren has room to improve despite their striking display. Red Bull’s uncertain pace during testing raises questions about who will challenge McLaren’s impressive start.
Red Bull’s Uncertainty
Red Bull Racing showed mixed signals during the 2025 F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain. Max Verstappen failed to finish a complete race simulation, raising questions about the team’s readiness.
Despite their strong history in Formula 1, Red Bull’s true pace remains hidden ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. Many experts still view them as potential front-runners, but the lack of clear data has created doubt.
The team’s performance metrics stayed private, making it hard for rivals to gauge their actual speed.
Sauber’s Struggles
Sauber faced major problems during the 2025 F1 testing in Bahrain. The team showed poor pace throughout pre-season runs, with Nico Hülkenberg unable to match times set by front-runners.
Technical issues plagued their cars, forcing early ends to several testing sessions. Sauber’s difficulties come at a critical time as they prepare for their upcoming transition to Audi.
Team bosses admitted concerns about their performance gaps compared to other teams on the grid. The data collected in Bahrain points to a tough season ahead for Sauber. Engineers are now racing to fix key issues before the first Grand Prix.
Despite these challenges, the team remains focused on building a foundation for their future as an Audi Works team.
Mercedes’ Challenges
Mercedes faced serious performance issues during the 2025 Bahrain testing. The team completed 458 laps but showed lacklustre speed compared to top teams like McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari.
Their final day results ranked as the weakest among major competitors. The once-dominant team has continued to struggle with form and speed deficits since the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Racing competitiveness remains a big concern as pre-season preparations revealed significant competitive disadvantages in lap times. The team must solve these Formula 1 challenges quickly before the season officially begins.
How To Bet on Formula 1 Online at BetVictor
If you want to bet on the Formula 1 online, here’s a straightforward guide that you can use to get started:
1. Sign in to your BetVictor account. If you’re not registered with us already, simply click on the green ‘Sign Up’ button in the top right corner and fill in the various fields that appear. From here, you can verify your details and make a deposit to bet on Formula 1 online with real funds.
2. Head to the sports betting page.
3. Next, click on ‘Formula 1’ and go to the ‘Competitions’ tab to bring up a list of all races.
4. Tap on the race you’d like to bet on and find your desired market.
5. Click a selection to add it to your bet slip.
6. All that’s left to do then is type in a stake size that matches your preferences and confirm the bet.
Here at BetVictor, we have a huge range of Formula 1 options to choose from, including coverage of all races that occur throughout the year, such as the Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese Grand Prix. You can also bet on the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship with us.
Before placing a wager, be sure to check out the BetVictor offers page too for a variety of different bonuses. Many of these can be used across all sports betting markets, including on the F1, with options available for both new and existing customers!
Frequently Asked Questions About Formula 1 Testing
Carlos Sainz got the fastest lap time at the 2025 F1 test in Bahrain, with a time of 1 minute 29.348 seconds. He was followed by Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell, who finished 0.031 seconds, 0.083 seconds, and 0.197 seconds slower, in that order.
Red Bull struggled in the Formula 1 test in Bahrain, with Max Verstappen failing to complete a full race simulation while other issues were found in their car. The main problem was a fundamental balance disconnect, which occurred as a result of focusing too much on performance.
The best place to bet on Formula 1 is right here at BetVictor. We have a huge range of markets to choose from, covering all events throughout the F1 season, while also offering a selection of bonuses to both new and existing customers!
