Track temperatures soared in Bahrain, but the real heat came off the timing screens. Preseason testing gave fans a raw glimpse into who’s holding back with swagger and who’s scrambling behind the garage doors. Some teams cruised through laps with surgical precision. Others? Not so much. There’s more beneath the surface than the final scoreboard suggests.

Red Bull Shows Cracks In The Armor

Red Bull didn’t sandbag this time. Max Verstappen’s sixth-place finish raised eyebrows, and even Helmut Marko voiced dissatisfaction. From unstable grip to pit stop issues, the reigning champs looked less dominant than expected. Whatever pace Red Bull has in hand, Bahrain suggested the focus is on fixing issues, not concealing speed.

Ferrari Fast, But Still Flawed

Ferrari’s SF-24 delivered promising short runs and clocked sector times that rivaled Red Bull’s. Yet their long-run degradation exposed balance inconsistencies. Charles and Carlos faced fluctuating grip levels depending on fuel load and tire compound. If you’re measuring potential versus reliability, the Scuderia still struggles to stabilize both ends.

Mercedes Quietly Finds Form

Remember last year’s porpoising drama? Mercedes seems to have finally sent it packing. You could almost hear George Russell sigh in relief as the W15 handled smoother transitions. While they’re not topping timesheets yet, there were enough sparks to suggest Toto’s garage has a sneaky little game plan simmering.

McLaren’s Speed Comes With Warnings

Lando Norris delivered standout lap times on Day 2, showcasing McLaren’s raw speed. However, technical setbacks trimmed overall running and disrupted momentum. Oscar Piastri spent extended time in the garage, which led to him missing critical setup laps. The pace is there, but durability questions still linger.

Aston Martin Solid Yet Shaky

Aston completed solid laps, but Aston Martin’s Bahrain test wasn’t bulletproof. The car showed promise, but struggled with consistency and mileage compared to top-tier teams. Alonso noted areas of improvement, and while the tone was cautiously optimistic, the team’s position in the pecking order remains uncertain.

Alpine Prioritizes Data Over Speed

Alpine focused on groundwork in Bahrain, not glory laps. Their A525 ran a tidy mileage count as the team prioritized data collection over headline times. Gasly was steady, not spectacular. They’re aiming long-term, especially with a Mercedes engine switch looming in 2026—but the 2025 pace remains a question mark.

Kick Sauber Struggles With Grip

Kick Sauber’s C44 showed promise on paper, but the track told a different story. Despite a strong Ferrari power unit, drivers reported traction loss mid-corner and uneven tire wear. Bottas frequently had to lift off or correct mid-acceleration, clear signs the grip wasn’t there.

Williams Impresses With Reliability

When was the last time you saw Williams complete so many laps without trouble? Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon clocked in over 320 laps combined. They weren’t flashy, but they were consistent. And in preseason testing, that’s gold. Keep an eye on them—the team isn’t just filling grid space anymore.

Haas Faces Aero Headaches

While Haas ran strong laps during the preseason and scored in early 2025 races, the VF-25’s aerodynamic flaws are holding it back. High-speed oscillations hurt driver trust and downforce. Ocon and rookie Bearman have both flagged balance concerns, especially on long runs. So, reliability is there, but the setup still needs work.

RB Finds Stability, Still Chasing Pace

RB’s progress is noticeable—no more hopping rear ends or snappy unpredictability. Tsunoda looked confident over long stints, and the car stayed composed. Still, performance isn’t seamless. Engineers continue refining sector balance, and the squad knows they can’t lean on improved stability alone in a tightening midfield.