Mercedes comes out tops in testing

THERE'S a little under a month left before the lights drop in Melbourne for the first race of the season and there's already a bit of drama in the paddock.

- JEHRAN NAIDOO

From allegations of sandbagging to new drivers joining the grid, Bahrain’s pre season testing has delivered for F1 fans and left plenty to unpack for the teams themselves.

At the sharp end of the timesheets, it was Mercedes AMG F1 that ended the first Bahrain test on a high note, wrapping up a one-two on the final day. Rookie Kimi Antonelli claimed the fastest time of the test with a lap of 1:33.669s, ahead of teammate George Russell a statement of intent if ever there was one. But even Mercedes weren’t entirely sure what to make of their own performance. Russell admitted the team had “taken a step back” when it came to reliability and outright pace compared to expectations, while still pointing the spotlight at Red Bull Racing as the benchmark.

Red Bull's own test was a blend of promise and caution. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen posted competitive times and showcased the strength of the new Red Bull power unit, with teammate Isack Hadjar describing the engine as “reliable” and “powerful.” It’s the first time in Red Bull's F1 racing history without Honda after starting a new venture with Ford.

The Milton Keynes outfit didn’t quite top the sheets, but they certainly gave their rivals plenty to think about and dismissals of sandbagging claims have added another layer of intrigue.