F1 2025 pre-season testing: Lando Norris quickest for McLaren on day one
McLaren’s Lando Norris was in the fastest lap time on the first day of the pre-season test of the first day of the season at Mercedes’s George Russell.
Norris is 0.157 seconds faster than Russell of Bahrain, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.
Six fastest drivers made the best time from afternoon to evening at the conference.
Leclerc’s new teammate, Lewis Hamilton, took the morning meeting and ended on Day 13.
Title loop time in pre-season tests is a well-known indicator of actual competitiveness, because there are so many factors that affect performance that the team did not reveal the fuel load and engine power mode.
The conference was held in unusually cool conditions in the Bay state, with an air temperature of about 15c.
Russell said he was encouraged by Mercedes’ performance over three seasons when the team faced tough times from the Test.
“This car performs very well. We have to be careful because in Bahrain, it is usually hotter 20c.
“It’s the best feeling Bahrain has ever had, but I’m sure it’s the same for all testers.
“I like it very much. I have confidence that the long-term pace looks pretty good.
“We won’t be taken away by ourselves, but so far it’s not bad. We’ve done some testing here, but it’s going well, but so far it’s silky smooth.”
Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri, who drove in the morning and ranked 16th on the schedule, said: “This car feels great and just wants to turn (it) into a better window.
“I think we are in a good condition. Some teams look pretty good early on.
“We did a great job of focusing on ourselves and getting some good information. It’s already very close, so I think we’ve had a very exciting year in F1.”
Last year, McLaren won the builder’s title for the first time since 1998, and Norris was second in the driver’s title battle.
Norris and McLaren set themselves to Start the season with competitive shape After Verstappen’s early dominance allowed him to build an insurmountable lead in 2024, he took part in the season-long championship challenge.
Hamilton and Vestapon did not speak to the media on Wednesday.
Verstappen’s new teammate Liam Lawson is the only driver who lost his car altogether – the New Zealander spins in the second round in the morning.
The power outage in the middle of the afternoon caused an hour of delay, and the end of the run was extended by an hour to compensate.
