Kimi Antonelli delivered the quickest lap time in this year’s preseason Formula 1 testing on Thursday at the Bahrain International Circuit, completing a lap in 1 minute 32.802 seconds in his #12 Mercedes. Antonelli’s time was driven by the advanced Mercedes engine featuring a high compression ratio, often referred to as the ‘trick’ engine, which has given the team a competitive edge early on.
Close Contention from Piastri and Verstappen
Not far behind Antonelli was Oscar Piastri, who posted the second-best lap in the McLaren MCL40, also utilizing the same ‘trick’ Mercedes engine. Piastri’s time was just 0.058 seconds slower, showcasing strong performance from the McLaren team designed by Rob Marshall. Max Verstappen completed the top three in the Red Bull RB22, powered by the Red Bull-Ford engine, trailing Antonelli by 0.359 seconds. Verstappen finished a demanding race simulation covering 139 laps before pitting, signaling potential for even greater speed in upcoming sessions.
Hamilton and Norris Follow in Tire-Stretched Efforts
Lewis Hamilton ranked fourth fastest after equipping a fresh set of C3 compound tires in his #44 Ferrari, finishing 0.605 seconds adrift of Antonelli. Lando Norris completed the top five based on his morning session time, 0.650 seconds behind the leader, while running on the softer C4 compound tires. The top four drivers all clocked their best times on the C3 tires, indicating tire choice played a key role in performance.
Challenges for Aston Martin and Steady Showing from Cadillac
The day proved difficult for the Aston Martin team, with their car designed by Adrian Newey causing another red flag while Fernando Alonso was at the wheel. Alonso’s best lap placed him 15th, a stark 4.6 seconds behind Antonelli’s pace. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez achieved a respectable 14th position in the #11 Cadillac, completing the day 2.566 seconds off the fastest time — marking Cadillac’s strongest preseason performance so far.
Practice Standing Starts Highlight Launch Performance
At the close of the session, the teams practiced starts with the newly extended starting procedure. All competitors launched cleanly, though the gaps were larger than in recent years. Hamilton exhibited the best start twice during the day, with the Ferrari seemingly excelling off the line. Questions remain as to whether Ferrari is exploiting a genuine advantage or if their new power unit configuration offers superior launch capability compared to rivals.
Implications for Upcoming Formula 1 Season
The results highlight the significant impact the Mercedes engine Formula 1 teams wield during preseason testing, particularly with its innovative high compression design giving drivers like Antonelli and Piastri an edge. Verstappen’s endurance in completing a full race simulation indicates Red Bull remains a strong contender despite trailing slightly. Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s ongoing reliability struggles suggest the team faces hurdles before the season opener. The effectiveness of tire compounds and start procedures also signals critical technical areas teams will refine moving forward.
