2025TestingBahrain

From a potential pecking order to a scintillating Sainz – What we learned from Day 2 of pre-season testing in Bahrain

F1 Correspondent & PresenterLawrence Barretto
Oscar Piastri of Australia drives the (81) McLaren F1 Team MCL39 Mercedes during the Formula 1 TestOscar Piastri of Australia drives the (81) McLaren F1 Team MCL39 Mercedes during the Formula 1 Test 2025 in Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain, on February 26, 2025. (Photo by Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

There were more questions than answers on Day 2 of pre-season testing in Bahrain, as rain – yes rain – mercilessly fell across the day. But a picture (albeit hazy) of how the field is shaping up ahead of the season opener in Australia has started to emerge.

Teams start chase for performance

A vast array of bulky aero rakes were bolted to the cars on Day 1 of testing, as teams carried out a series of data gathering runs that were necessary with machines that would have only been bolted together for the first time within the last couple of weeks. Essentially, drivers are just “going through the motions” while doing these tests.