Russell Tops Bahrain Test as Verstappen Struggles

That’s a wrap! After three days of testing in Bahrain, we can now look forward to the first race weekend in Melbourne. George Russell was the fastest in the final afternoon session, although he only clocked his top time in the last quarter of an hour. Max Verstappen was leading for a long time, but drove significantly fewer laps than his competitors in the afternoon. Moreover, the Dutchman struggled with the balance of his RB21 during this final winter test.

Verstappen had to settle for the second-fastest time after eight hours of testing, while he drove considerably fewer laps than many of his rivals. After two sessions, his total stood at eighty-one laps. For comparison: George Russell drove ninety-one laps in one afternoon session alone. The Brit – for what it’s worth – snatched the fastest time at the last minute. Ferrari and McLaren were slower than Verstappen, but both Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton had significantly fewer balance issues.

Hamilton initially struggled with the handling of the SF-25, but it was Verstappen who at one point completely locked up and spun in Bahrain. Moreover, it took over an hour before the Dutchman made his appearance during this final winter test. While he used a new nose in the morning – on his car, at least – he opted for the ‘old’ model in the afternoon.

Ferrari and McLaren the big winners?

Hamilton and Piastri may have been slower than the Red Bull driver, but experts expect both drivers to look back on the winter test with satisfaction. For now, Ferrari and McLaren are likely to come out on top in the opening race in Australia. Piastri was particularly fast in the second sector, where the circuit consists of many sharp turns.

The final winter test was further disrupted by a red flag. The session was briefly interrupted in the first ten minutes because a shuttle bus was on the track. The FIA will investigate the incident further. Of all the teams, Aston Martin perhaps had the worst day. Both drivers failed to reach the top ten. Moreover, Lance Stroll only completed thirty-four laps – the Canadian was not fit enough to finish the winter test. Fernando Alonso, who had already taken over his morning session earlier in the day, stepped back into the AMR25 in the last hour and a half.

Top Ten After the Third Afternoon Session of the Winter Test