Lando Norris showed impressive speed on the opening day of F1 2025 testing in Bahrain, topping the timesheets as all 20 drivers hit the track with their new cars. A regional power outage briefly halted the afternoon session, leaving the circuit in darkness and garages without power. Once electricity was restored, drivers made the most of the remaining time, with the FIA extending the session by an hour. Day 2 promises more excitement as drivers return to the Bahrain track.
2025 F1 Pre-Season Testing Day 2: Complete Driver Schedule
World champion Max Verstappen will not be seen on track during Day 2 of the F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, as Red Bull hands over the driving duties entirely to Liam Lawson. After splitting the responsibilities on the opening day, the team has decided to give Lawson a full day of running on Thursday before Verstappen takes the wheel to wrap up the test on Friday. This approach allows Lawson valuable time to familiarize himself with the car, enhancing Red Bull’s strategic preparations for the upcoming season.
Interestingly, Williams is the only other team adopting a similar strategy by giving Carlos Sainz exclusive control of the FW47 for the entire day, sidelining Alex Albon. Meanwhile, the remaining eight teams have chosen to divide the driving duties between their drivers. McLaren continues with Oscar Piastri in the morning and Lando Norris in the afternoon, while Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, and Haas rotate their lineups. Ferrari alternates between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. Mercedes pairs George Russell with rising star Antonelli.
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Fans eager to follow the action can do so via F1 TV Pro, which provides live coverage from every angle, along with expert analysis. Local broadcast partners may also air the sessions, so checking regional listings is recommended. For real-time updates and detailed breakdowns, F1.com will run live blogs throughout the testing days. This extensive coverage ensures fans won’t miss a moment as teams fine-tune their machines ahead of the 2024 season.