Verstappen and Piastri duel in key long-run test

Oscar Piastri's McLaren showed impressive long-run pace against Max Verstappen's Red Bull on the second day of pre-season testing, emerging with a hypothetical advantage in a direct simulation comparison. While Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton hinted at strong one-lap speed, his disrupted program left questions, and Mercedes opted for a different testing approach, keeping its true race pace a mystery for another day.

Why it matters:

Long-run race simulations are the closest indicator of true competitive order before the season begins, making the head-to-head between the reigning champion's team and a rising contender particularly significant. McLaren's apparent strength on the hardest C1 tire compounds suggests they may have a car that is kind on its tires over a race distance, a critical asset. Ferrari's flashes of speed and Mercedes's deliberate secrecy mean the picture at the front remains intriguingly unclear.

The Details:

• The Headline Duel: In the final hours, Piastri (McLaren) and Verstappen (Red Bull) conducted comparable race simulations. Over 50 relevant laps, Piastri held a hypothetical advantage of over seven seconds, with his strongest gains coming in the final stint on the C1 tire.
• Ferrari's Promise and Problems: Lewis Hamilton's average lap times on the C3 and C2 tires were faster than both Piastri and Verstappen's, but his runs were shorter and his morning was lost to a technical issue. His final long run on C1s was the fastest average of the day, indicating high potential mixed with reliability concerns.
• The Mercedes Question: The Brackley team continued a unique program focused on general long runs with varied lap sequences, deliberately avoiding a traditional race simulation. This strategy denies rivals—and analysts—a clear read on their genuine race pace.
• Midfield Glimpses:
  • Audi: Nico Hulkenberg showed respectable consistency, though his final stint was aborted.
  • Racing Bulls & Cadillac: Liam Lawson and Valtteri Bottas gathered data but were several seconds off the leading pace.
  • Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso's run ended early, causing a red flag that also interrupted Hamilton and Lawson's programs.

What's next:

The final day of testing offers the last chance for teams to conduct qualifying simulations and finalize their race run data. All eyes will be on whether Mercedes transitions to a conventional race stint and if Ferrari can complete a clean, full-distance simulation to validate its promising pace. The results will solidify—or scramble—the pre-Bahrain Grand Prix pecking order predictions.