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Carlos Sainz Shocks Ferrari and Hamilton with Fastest Lap in Bahrain Testing

 

Carlos Sainz made headlines during the second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, setting the fastest lap time of the week so far. The Williams driver clocked an impressive 1:29.348, surpassing the previous best set on Wednesday by over a second. His performance was a significant statement as he outpaced his former team, Ferrari, and his high-profile replacement, Lewis Hamilton.

 

Sainz’s lap was just 0.031 seconds quicker than Hamilton’s best time of the day, which he had set in the morning session. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc ensured Ferrari had both cars near the top of the leaderboard, securing the third-fastest time, only 0.083 seconds behind Sainz.

 

The Mercedes pair of George Russell and rising star Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top five, indicating a strong start to testing for the Brackley-based team. However, it is important to remember that testing times do not always reflect actual race pace, as teams run different setups, fuel loads, and testing programs.

 

A Rain-Interrupted Morning Session

 

The second day of testing in Bahrain started with an unexpected challenge—rain. A rare downpour in the desert caused an hour-long delay, limiting track time for drivers who were scheduled to run in the morning session, including Hamilton. Despite the lost time, the seven-time world champion managed to set the pace for the morning, recording a 1:29.379 before stepping aside for teammate Leclerc in the afternoon.

 

Hamilton’s lap was 0.399 seconds faster than Russell’s best effort, with Sainz coming in third during the morning session, albeit 0.711 seconds off Hamilton’s time. Pierre Gasly put Alpine in a competitive position with the fourth-fastest lap, while Fernando Alonso showed solid pace for Aston Martin, finishing in fifth place.

 

Further down the morning timesheets, Yuki Tsunoda and Oscar Piastri were next in line, followed by Liam Lawson, Nico Hulkenberg, and Esteban Ocon, who struggled with his Haas car and ended up over three seconds off the pace.

 

Afternoon Session: Sainz Takes Control

 

When the track dried up for the afternoon session, Sainz capitalized on the improved conditions. He not only bettered Hamilton’s time but also set the fastest lap of testing so far, firmly putting Williams in the spotlight. The remarkable part of his run was not just the outright speed but also the consistency, as he managed over 120 laps throughout the day.

 

While Ferrari remained competitive with Hamilton and Leclerc securing second and third place overall, Mercedes looked strong, with Russell and Antonelli completing the top five. Antonelli, the young Italian prospect making his F1 testing debut, was just six-thousandths of a second behind his more experienced teammate, showing early promise for the season ahead.

 

Lance Stroll led Aston Martin’s efforts in sixth, while Liam Lawson, stepping in for Red Bull in place of Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez, finished seventh. Alpine had both its cars in the top ten, with Jack Doohan ahead of Gasly. VCARB rookie Isack Hadjar rounded out the top ten with a solid performance.

 

Alonso, Tsunoda, and the McLaren duo of Piastri and Lando Norris found themselves in the lower half of the standings, likely focusing on long-run pace rather than outright speed. Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg also struggled to match the front-runners, finishing more than 1.7 seconds off the pace.

 

At the bottom of the timesheets were the Haas drivers. Esteban Ocon and rookie Oliver Bearman had a difficult day, with Ocon nearly four seconds off Sainz’s time and Bearman a further five seconds adrift.

 

What Does This Mean for the 2025 Season?

 

While testing results are not always an accurate predictor of race performance, Sainz’s unexpected P1 finish is an encouraging sign for Williams. The team has been working hard to improve its car, and if Sainz’s pace is legitimate, it could mean a significant step forward in the midfield battle—or perhaps even higher.

 

Ferrari also appears to have a competitive package, with both Hamilton and Leclerc at the sharp end of the timing sheets. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ steady performance suggests they could be in the mix, with Antonelli making a strong first impression.

 

The biggest question is Red Bull’s absence from the top spots. With no Verstappen or Perez running today, it remains unclear where they stand in terms of outright speed. However, testing programs vary, and Red Bull could simply be focusing on long-run simulations rather than chasing headline lap times.

 

With one more day of pre-season testing left, teams will continue fine-tuning their setups before the season opener in Bahrain. The battle at the top looks closer than expected, and Sainz’s performance has certainly added excitement ahead of the first race of the season.

 

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