Antonelli tops Day 5 Bahrain test as Mercedes reasserts pre‑season lead
Summary
Andrea Kimi Antonelli posted a 1:32.803 lap to lead the final Bahrain test session, putting Mercedes ahead of McLaren and Red Bull. The rookie’s speed underscores Mercedes’ strong early form and hints at his rapid rise toward a race seat.
Mercedes stayed on top in Thursday’s Bahrain test, with 19‑year‑old Andrea Kimi Antonelli posting a 1:32.803 lap to lead Day 5. The time beat McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 0.058 seconds and gave the Silver Arrow a clear early edge ahead of the final testing day. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton also posted strong runs, though a few drivers saw brief stoppages.
Why it matters:
- A rookie‑fastest lap signals Mercedes’ package is strong.
- The rookie’s performance could accelerate his promotion.
- Early testing shape suggests a close fight for the season opener.
The details:
- Top 5: Antonelli (Mercedes) 1:32.803, Piastri (McLaren) +0.058, Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.359, Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.605, Norris (McLaren) +0.650.
- Mercedes depth: George Russell posted 1:34.111 for eighth overall, confirming the team’s pace across both drivers.
- Lap mileage: Verstappen logged the most laps (138), followed by Antonelli (79) and Piastri (86).
- Incidents: Hamilton’s chassis issue halted his morning run; Alonso’s Aston Martin stopped at Turn 4 and did not return, ending with a 1:37.472 time.
- Midfield: Colapinto (Alpine) 6th, Hulkenberg (Audi) 7th, Ocon (Haas) 9th and Lawson (Racing Bulls) 10th rounded the top ten.
What's next:
- Final day on Friday starts at 07:00 GMT.
- Teams will focus on long‑run runs, tyre wear and finalising aero setups.
- Mercedes hopes to lock a one‑two for the opener, while rivals aim to close any gaps revealed in today’s data.
Original Article :https://f1i.com/news/559492-bahrain-f1-test-antonelli-and-mercedes-fastest-on-da...