Leclerc Tops Bahrain Test Session as Rivals Face Reliability Woes

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the second morning of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, but the session was dominated by significant reliability issues for key rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes, casting a shadow over their preparations.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing is a critical window for teams to validate their new cars and build operational momentum. While headline lap times are often misleading due to varying fuel loads and tire compounds, the inability to run consistently due to mechanical failures is a major red flag. For Red Bull and Mercedes, losing precious track time to fix hydraulic and power unit problems so close to the first race is a significant setback that could impact their readiness for the season opener.

The details:

• Ferrari's Pace: Charles Leclerc posted a 1m34.273s on the soft C4 tire, comfortably going quicker than Lando Norris's Wednesday benchmark, which was set on the medium compound.
• Red Bull's Setback: The reigning champions had a disastrous morning. Rookie Isack Hadjar managed only one installation lap at the very end of the session after a suspected hydraulic leak was discovered during the car's build-up, costing the team and driver a full morning of planned running.
• Mercedes' Short Day: Andrea Kimi Antonelli's session lasted just three laps before a power unit issue forced the car back to the garage, leaving the team with a major repair job and shifting the entire day's workload to George Russell for the afternoon.
• Order Behind: The rest of the field was over two seconds adrift, with Pierre Gasly (Alpine) leading that group. Sergio Perez triggered a brief red flag on his out-lap but recovered to complete 42 laps for Cadillac, while Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) propped up the timesheets.

What's next:

The focus for the affected teams will shift to damage limitation in the afternoon session and the final day of testing on Friday. Mercedes and Red Bull will be desperate to make up for lost mileage and gather crucial long-run data. For Ferrari and McLaren, who have enjoyed trouble-free running so far, the priority will be to continue their consistent programs and build confidence. The true competitive picture remains deliberately obscured, but the early reliability dramas have already provided the first major storylines of the 2025 season.