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10 Things We Learned from F1 Testing in Bahrain 2025

March 1, 2025

The pre-season testing in Bahrain has unveiled a wealth of insights about the upcoming Formula 1 season, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting year.

First up, Lando Norris has been on fire. The buzz around him is palpable, with bookmakers placing him at 2.87 for a win. That means if you put a dollar on him, you’d get back 2.87. The car looks great, and Lando is in top form and relaxed, making this his best chance yet at clinching a world championship.

Lando Norris during testing

Next, let’s talk about Lewis Hamilton. There’s chatter about whether he’s been sandbagging, but I don’t think so. He’s in a fierce battle with Charles Leclerc in Ferrari, and he’s not trying to slow down. His focus is entirely on winning. I had a quick chat with his management team about his attire for the season, and they emphasized, “We are here to race,” which says it all. Lewis has been spotted solely in Ferrari gear, and it’s clear he’s all business.

Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari gear

We also learned that the McLaren team is keen on keeping their flow vis a secret. Flow vis is a paint that shows airflow over the car, and during one of Lando’s pit stops, the crew had to shield the car to prevent any photos from leaking out. Florent Gooden, a photographer, got a rare glimpse but won’t be sharing the prized shot.

McLaren team shielding Lando's car

Moving on, Franco Colapinto, a reserve driver, wasn’t in Bahrain as his presence wasn’t deemed essential. This allowed Fernando Alonso more time in the car, especially after Lance Stroll had a little drama. When I asked Alpine about Colapinto’s status for Australia, they said they weren’t certain yet, with a decision expected the Wednesday before the event.

Franco Colapinto

We also discovered which drivers have the yellow TCAM this year. Many thought it was the second driver, but it’s not necessarily so. The drivers sporting the yellow TCAM include Norris, Hamilton, Lawson, Antonelli, Alonso, and Doohan. This camera colour is crucial for viewers to identify drivers during fast-paced telecasts.

Drivers with yellow TCAM

In a fun moment, Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman were seen playing around with the Netflix crew’s boom mic during testing. This equipment is for the upcoming season of Drive to Survive, which is set to premiere on March 7. I’ve already covered what to expect in the new series, and it should be a treat for fans.

Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Behrman with Netflix crew

Now, let’s talk about John Elkann, the chairman of Ferrari. He made a fashion faux pas by wearing Adidas and Puma shoes, which are competitors. He quickly rectified this and changed shoes shortly after. It was a light-hearted moment in the paddock, showcasing the human side of these high-profile figures.

John Elkann in the paddock

We also noticed some new flag poles at the track this year, featuring flags from New Zealand, Brazil, and Italy, enhancing the international flavour of the event. Kimi Antonelli is soaking up the attention from fans and media, enjoying being a part of the F1 family.

New flags at the Bahrain track

In terms of broadcasting, we learned that Will Buxton’s replacement is Alex Brundle, son of Martin. It’s uncanny how similar he sounds to his father, maintaining the familiar tone for fans.

Alex Abrundel

During testing, we faced three red flags. The first was due to a power outage affecting the region, causing a thirty-minute delay. The second was for broken glass on the track, and the third was particularly bizarre—a media shuttle bus mistakenly drove onto the track during a live session, which could have been disastrous if an F1 car had come through.

Media shuttle bus on track

Lastly, the unpredictable Bahrain weather played a role. From cold winds to beautiful mornings, the conditions varied greatly, impacting the teams’ strategies. Dmitry Mazepin, father of former driver Nikita, was present with his younger son, stirring up memories and speculation about the future.

Dimitri Mazepin

As we gear up for the first race in Australia, there’s a lot of excitement and speculation on how teams will perform. McLaren looks promising, and perhaps Oscar Piastri could shine in his home race. There’s so much to look forward to this season!

FAQs

  • What is flow vis? Flow vis is a special paint used on racing cars to visualize airflow, helping teams understand aerodynamics.
  • When does the new season of Drive to Survive premiere? The new season is set to premiere on March 7.
  • Who is the new broadcaster replacing Will Buxton? Alex Brundle, son of Martin Buxton, will take over his role.
  • What happened with the media shuttle bus during testing? The bus accidentally drove onto the track during a live session, causing a red flag.


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