Day 1 - Bahrain Report: Hulkenberg leads Ferrari and Mercedes

Day 1 of the second official pre-season Formula 1 test got underway in the Gulf of Bahrain this morning with expectant sunny conditions.

The British-based Lotus squad were the only team not to be present at the first test in Jerez, meaning that today would be one of the first chances they had to assess the E22's performance, with Romain Grosjean behind the wheel.

After a short delay due to a track inspection the green light came on, and Caterham's Reserve Driver, Robin Frijns was the first to take to the track.

It was Adrian Sutil of Sauber who showed the initial pace, before Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes hit the top of the timesheets once the track was up to optimum temperature. He was closely followed by Fernando Alonso's Ferrari.

There were yet more problems for the Red Bull team, with Sebastian Vettel stopping on track due to a suspected technical issue, cutting his running short for the day. Daniil Kvyat also suffered problems in the form of an oil leak whilst on-track with his Toro Rosso STR9, forcing the Russian to stop on track.

The Grove-based Williams team suffered a loss in running today due to a problem with the fuel system, Felipe Massa was scheduled to drive but completed no laps.

It would be Caterham who completed the most amount of laps (68) for any Renault-powered team once more today, with the next best being Red Bull who completed 14.

Despite both Ferrari and Mercedes' promising pace at the start of the session, it would be Force India who were fastest overall after Nico Hulkenberg posted a 1.36.880 which was just under a second quicker than the Italian and British marques.

Tom Brooks
F1 Editor

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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  • Country Spain
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (44)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
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