Lewis Hamilton, fresh from completing his first pre-season test with Ferrari, shared some insights that caught everyone’s attention. Particularly, he was impressed by McLaren’s performance, especially with Lando Norris’ race simulation on the second day at Sakhir.
Ferrari wrapped up their pre-season agenda with the SF-25, putting in a solid 385 laps in Bahrain before the first race in Australia, covering a distance equivalent to about seven Grand Prix races, or 2084 kilometers.
During the morning session, Charles Leclerc took the SF-25 through its paces, sticking mostly to the C3 compound tire for nearly four hours, except for a brief five-lap stint on the C4. Interestingly, he clocked his fastest time, 1’30”811, on the harder compound.
In the afternoon, Hamilton maintained a strikingly similar schedule to Leclerc’s second-day session, focusing on both qualifying and race simulations. He managed a best lap time of 1’30”345 on the C4 compound with low fuel. Later, on a heavier fuel load and using C3 tires, he completed 47 laps totaling 254 kilometers, although a telemetry anomaly cut his race simulation short as a precaution.
Reflecting on the up-and-down pre-season testing, Leclerc noted the challenging weather conditions that kept them on their toes. “The unpredictable weather in Bahrain made it tough to get consistent runs,” he explained. “Wind changes, unexpected rain, and fluctuating temperatures added a layer of uncertainty we haven’t seen in recent years. Yet, we’ve gathered significant information, especially regarding the car’s feel on the track.”
The team plans to return to Maranello, fine-tuning their strategy in the simulator to bridge any gaps before Melbourne. Leclerc is eager to attack the season, saying, “We’re focused on maximizing our performance for the week ahead, and I’m excited to get things started.”
Hamilton, also reflecting on the test, highlighted the widespread implications of the unpredictable weather in Manama. “Overall, these sessions have been productive for us, despite having to wrap up earlier due to weather. That’s testing for you, though; we nonetheless gained valuable data to refine our approach before the start of the season.”
With a newfound synergy at Ferrari, Hamilton can’t wait to bring this momentum to Melbourne, praising the team’s efforts and enthusiasm. When it came to the competition, Hamilton observed McLaren’s promising performance, particularly Norris’ trial, noting their potential strength as they return after topping the constructor’s last year. Additionally, Red Bull, long-time rivals, remain significant contenders.
Hamilton summed up his outlook by noting the importance of context in testing, saying, “Today’s heat and yesterday’s McLaren run have been pretty telling. Plus, Max put in a good showing with these conditions. But it’s anyone’s guess with varying fuel loads and different setups. It’s all part of the pre-race anticipation.”
