Although F1’s pre-season testing comes with the prerequisite that times aren’t to be trusted due to the mystery surrounding engine settings and fuel loads, we all find ourselves trying to decode any clue on the team’s true pace in 2025.
Over the three days of testing, teams completed an array of runs, with race simulations and qualifying simulations. Some teams opt to focus on data collection, ignoring times entirely, whereas others look to show their potential. Putting in blinding lap times and setting the stage for their season debut in Australia.
From team struggles to power outages, testing has everything. But what do the results actually show fans of what to expect come the Australian Grand Prix.
Who’s on top?
McLaren have left testing as the early favourites, with Lando Norris’ long run times showing the same step above the rest that the team held in 2024. The stability and ease the McLaren seemed to hold left Norris unable to suppress a smile, leaving the garage. Even telling George Russell that he believed the team had ‘found a lot of lap time’ in the MCL39.
Oscar Piastri also seemed comfortable behind the wheel of the papaya machinery, putting in times that placed him near the front of the field in his sessions.
It seems clear that McLaren intends to pick up from where they left off in 2024, but it seems they may need to be careful regarding their rear wing flexibility again. This time setting their sights on both the Constructors’ titles and the Drivers’ title. But McLaren weren’t the only team that looked comfortable.
Mercedes were another team that seemed to leave the test optimistically. After the first day of testing, George Russell mused that the car felt better than it ever had around Bahrain. Though he prefaced this by noting the milder conditions around Bahrain this year, his positivity was evident.
Trackside engineer, Andrew Shovlin admitted, “The team has worked hard over the winter to improve on the weaknesses of the W15 and, from the initial signs, we seem to have made good steps in those areas with our 2025 challenger.”
Ferrari followed suit having consistent and strong performances but seemingly a small part off the pace of the McLaren, they avoided any major issues which was important for any top of the pack team. The order of the top three is unclear but it will no doubt be just as tight as 2024.
Red Bull and where they find themselves
Red Bull’s performance is murky. Verstappen spent a lot more of the test than he would’ve liked figuring out the right set up. After day one he seemed positive, praising the small but important changes the team had made in the off-season.
However, on Day 3 the run time was filled with changes to the various aspects of the car. By the end of the day, Verstappen seemed happier with the car but the team were left wanting more. Pierre Waché, the team’s technical director, admitted that the test “wasn’t as smooth as we expected.”
Lawson saw instability in the Red Bull over the three days, suffering wind sensitivity or spinning throughout the first sessions. The team struggled in 2024 with the car’s ability to ride kerbs and it seems that problem hasn’t entirely disappeared for the Milton Keynes team.
Are Williams and Alpine making a comeback?
Although there has been a lot of discussion around the potential of Williams with Carlos Sainz taking the fastest time overall from testing, it’s not entirely representative.
But that is not to downplay the team’s progress. This time last year, Williams arrived late with a horrendously overweight car that became an omen to the struggles they’d see in 2024. This year, their car seemed more stable and left Alex Albon with a far more positive outlook ahead of Australia.
Team members have been quick to downplay the extent of the progress. Denying that in Australia, Williams will be magically competing with the top four teams after fighting at the back of the grid in 2024.
Alpine were one of the quietest teams on the grid, moving fairly unnoticed throughout the testing period. This was a good sign for the Endstone team, much like Williams who had entered 2024 in the worst situation imaginable, Alpine ended the season on a high and wanted to continue that performance.
With a newfound stability within the team due to the introduction of Oliver Oakes and Falvio Briatore, and the feeling as though the team have a clear direction, Alpine were positive about their performance from testing.
Though Alpine didn’t hit as many headlines as Williams, the sense lies that they’ll be competing for Q3 appearances and, hopefully for each, points.
The concerns
There is no doubt that one of the biggest worries from the testing was the performance of Aston Martin. Despite Adrian Newey preparing for his start, and a spectacular 007 themed reveal, they seem to be lacking the James Bond-esque performance on track.
Last year they lost out in the development war, finding themselves slipping from an impressive 2023 season that involved podiums and the potential for wins, to finding themselves fifth.
This year their ability to bring effective upgrades will be vital, although no doubt we’ll see their attention shift to 2026 as the year progresses. Last year the car was volatile, and in Fernando Alonso’s words, ‘undrivable’. Testing saw them debut a more stable chassis, but it left the car severely lacking any notable pace.
Haas is a team which left people questioning their performance. At the end of the three days, they largely resided at the back of the pack. However, while some saw it as concerning, the American team took a quiet approach to the test.
Much like 2024’s season test, they opted for long runs and data collection over low fuel glory runs. Other than a loose engine cover which disrupted Oliver Bearman’s session, the car looked stable and strong, likely to continue from their consistent points scoring position in 2024.
Sauber continues to struggle
It is hard to call which team is going to find themselves at the back of the pack. However, Sauber took that mantle in 2024, with four points and last place in the Constructors’ clear. Equally, it seems they arrived in Bahrain in a similarly difficult situation.
Their times were unimpressive over the three days, and although James Key, the team’s technical director, remained positive surrounding the test, the stiffness in the chassis and lack of pace, seemed to give away their potential struggles.
It is not surprising, the team are preparing for their final year as the Stake F1 team before Audi takes over and therefore no doubt the team is looking to 2026 more than 2025. However, it spells trouble for Nico Hülkenebrg looking for his elusive first podium and Gabriel Bortoleto coming into his first season in F1.
Feature Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool/LAT Images
