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Lando Norris set the pace on the opening day of Formula 1 pre-season testing, edging out Mercedes’ George Russell by 0.157 seconds at Bahrain’s Sakhir Circuit. While McLaren’s strong start has raised eyebrows, seasoned F1 watchers know that testing times often mask the true competitive landscape.
The day’s fastest laps came during the afternoon-to-evening session, where cooler-than-usual 15°C temperatures played a role. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc followed closely behind in third and fourth, ensuring the frontrunners remained within striking distance. Meanwhile, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who completed his laps in the morning session, ended up 13th on the timing sheets.
Russell was cautiously optimistic about Mercedes’ early performance, emphasizing that the car felt better than in recent years, but warning that Bahrain’s usual race-day heat could shift the balance. "This is the best it has ever felt here, but we need to be careful," he said. "We've had difficult tests in the past, but this time, things are looking smooth."
Norris' teammate, Oscar Piastri, who drove in the morning, placed 16th but remained upbeat. "The car feels good, we’re just trying to fine-tune things," he said. "It’s early, but things are looking close between teams."
McLaren enters the season with high ambitions after winning the constructors’ title last year for the first time since 1998. Norris, who finished runner-up to Verstappen in the drivers' standings, is eager to mount a serious championship challenge rather than playing catch-up.
While most teams completed their programs without major issues, Red Bull’s new signing, Liam Lawson, was the only driver to lose control, spinning at Turn Two. Additionally, a power outage in the afternoon session led to a one-hour delay, forcing organizers to extend the running time.
Notably absent from media briefings were Verstappen and Hamilton, leaving their teams’ true confidence levels open to speculation.
As always, pre-season lap times come with asterisks. Fuel loads, engine power settings, and test programs remain undisclosed, making it impossible to determine the real pecking order. However, if early impressions are anything to go by, McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull are all shaping up for what could be a fiercely contested season.
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