The pre-season tests indicate a fierce battle of 2025 F1

The pre-season tests offer an overview of the new season, but it rarely reveals the complete image. While the times on the turn and the mileage offer clues, the teams use this period to experiment rather than push their cars at the limit. Three -day tests concern refinement, configurations and collection of data mountains under variable conditions. While the engines were roaring on the Bahrain International Circuit at the end of February, one thing has become clear – it could be the nearest F1 season for years.

Since F1 is entering its fourth season under current regulations on the ground effects, reliability had to be raised – and this is exactly what was seen. This year’s tests suggested a tighter fight at the front among McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes, with the title champion of the manufacturers who becomes ahead.

The fronts

McLaren seemed to have the most complete package, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri confident in car performance. The car was always fast, and if their test form results in a racing pace, McLaren could be the team to beat.

All eyes were naturally on the car no. 44 from Lewis Hamilton, who took the Scarlet Red Ferrari on the right track. Although it was confronted with certain technical problems on the last day, Charles Leclerc hopes to maximize his potential at the start of the season, while Hamilton moved to his new environment.

Red Bull, however, had a mixed test. Although it was third in qualification and simulations, the first indications suggested that it might not be a striking distance from McLaren and Ferrari, but under the threat of an improved Mercedes.

The most active team of the mileage (458 rpm), Mercedes seemed to have put behind the unpredictable element which haunted it last year. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli succeeded in the floor in the race, and the car seems to have given the team’s optimism for the coming season.

Melee in the midfielder

A handful of teams should be right on the tail of network leaders, which means more competition for points pointing positions. Among the fields of field that seemed to have made the most progress, there is a certain Williams.

Max Verstappen in Bahrain. | Photo credit: Getty Images

The champion team of manufacturers of nine times, who now has Carlos Sainz behind the wheel alongside Alexander Albon, showed promising signs and could be in a fight with Alpine for “Best of others”.

Aston Martin, once on the hike for podium finishes, seems to have lowered order, being among the haas and racing bulls. Fernando Alonso admitted that the car had slipped forward from the midfielder and expects a difficult challenge for AM to maintain its place for another season.

Kick Sauber, the slowest team the last time, can be stuck again behind the whole field. The slow turn and long -term rhythm time indicate a task assembled from the start.

With the veteran Nico Hulkenberg and the F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto at the helm, they hope to make gains before it is too late.

Recruit

Several recruits entering full -time F1 roles have made progress during tests. Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls recorded the most mileage, covering an equivalent distance to four large Bahrain Prix. Jack Doohan and Bortoleto saved a precious track time, while Oliver Bearman from Haas took advantage of a new start.

Look forward to

A two-week gap between pre-season tests and Melbourne’s race at the opening of the season suggests that the teams will be in a race against time to put their operational challengers. But what is certain is that 2025 will be a very competitive year, with closer track battles than more and more and 24 fascinating races.

Marquez Brothers conquer the MotoGP opener in Buriram

Marc Marquez. | Photo credit: Getty Images

Marc Marquez presented an astonishing start to the Ducati MotoGP factory team, finishing a perfect triple during the Grand Prix of the Thailand opener in 2025 – winning the sprint, securing the post and dominating the main race with a strategic masterclass.

Marc sat behind his brother, Alex Marquez de Gresini, for a large part of the race after losing the advance early at what seemed to be a mechanical problem. The champion six times regained his pace and succeeded in tire pressures before making his movement decisive with four laps to do.

Alex slipped behind to ensure a 1-2 finish to the Spanish brothers, while Francesco Bagnaia de Ducati, a 2024 finalist, had to settle for third place despite the end of the end.

The defending champion Jorge Martin was and will be out of combat for the first races after having undergone a series of accidents before the season. With two surgeries and some fractures to heal, the Spaniard hopes to get back on the right track to protect his crown.

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