Williams’ Carlos Sainz achieved an extraordinary feat after topping the timesheets in Day 2 of 2025 Bahrain F1 testing.
The impressive performance saw the Spaniard set a lap time of 1:29.348 to narrowly edge out Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by just 0.031 seconds after the latter topped the morning session with a time of 1:29.379.
Carlos Sainz’s achievement was further highlighted by his completion of 127 laps, the highest of the second day of 2025 Bahrain F1 testing, demonstrating both the reliability of the Williams FW47 and his remarkable driving skills.
The day began under somewhat unpredictable weather conditions, with light rain showers causing a brief delay in the morning session.
Hamilton fastest in morning session
Despite these conditions, Lewis Hamilton set the initial pace for Ferrari completing 45 laps with a best time of 1:29.379. His Ferrari SF-25 proved formidable on the C3 Pirelli tyres allowing him to maintain a strong position throughout the morning.
Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell trailed his former teammate by about four-tenths of a second after completing 71 laps, while Carlos Sainz initially placed third, over seven-tenths off the time benchmark.
As the morning progressed, teams continued to adapt to the changing conditions at 2025 Bahrain F1 testing. Haas’ Esteban Ocon ventured out on intermediate tyres during the wettest part of the session, showcasing his team’s preparedness for unexpected weather conditions.
However, it was not long before the challenges of navigating the Lusail circuit under less-than-ideal conditions took centrestage. The first incident involved McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg who made contact at Turn 8, prompting a brief moment of tension on the track.
Carlos Sainz dominates afternoon session
As the teams transitioned into the afternoon session, driver swaps became a common theme. Charles Leclerc took over from Hamilton for Ferrari, while McLaren replaced Oscar Piastri with Lando Norris.
Similarly, Kimi Antonelli stepped in for George Russell at Mercedes, and Lance Stroll replaced Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. Notably, Carlos Sainz and Liam Lawson remained in their respective cars for Williams and Red Bull throughout the day, maximizing their track time.
The afternoon session saw Carlos Sainz solidify his position at the top of the leaderboard. Despite a brief spin at Turn 1 due to slippery conditions, the veteran driver managed to recover and improve his lap time.
The Williams FW47 appeared well-balanced and competitive with the second day of Bahrain F1 testing raising hopes for a strong 2025 F1 season ahead. Meanwhile, Leclerc climbed to third on the timesheets for Ferrari but struggled with traffic and intermittent rain that disrupted his rhythm.
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top five positions. Russell’s morning run was particularly noteworthy as he completed 71 laps with a best time of 1:29.778 while Antonelli encountered a lock-up at Turn 1 after taking over in the afternoon but still managed consistent lap times that provided valuable data for Mercedes.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll finished sixth overall, showcasing steady progress for the team. Red Bull’s Liam Lawson followed in seventh place after overcoming an engine pressure issue that limited his morning running to just 28 laps.
Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly secured eighth and ninth positions respectively, with Gasly maintaining an encouraging performance during Day 2 of 2025 Bahrain F1 testing.
Racing Bulls Isack Hadjar rounded out the top ten while his teammate Yuki Tsunoda had limited running due to rain but managed to set a time that placed him a respectable 12th. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso also had a solid outing, splitting the duo in 11th.
Haas’ Esteban Ocon focused on long runs and start practice rather than outright lap times, finishing down in 18th overall. The team prioritized reliability and communication improvements as they continue to refine their VF-25 package.
Day 2 of 2025 Bahrain F1 testing concluded under floodlights as temperatures dropped further in Bahrain. Teams used this opportunity to simulate race conditions on cooler tracks, gaining insights into tire behavior and car setups.
While lap times during pre-season testing are often not indicative of true performance due to varying fuel loads and testing programs, the second day provided valuable data for all teams as they prepare for the 2025 F1 season opener in Australia on March 16.
2025 Bahrain F1 testing Day 2 Results
