Mercedes’ Antonelli Leads Day 2 of F1 Testing Week Two
Kimi Antonelli led the second day of the second week of F1 preseason testing in Bahrain. The Mercedes driver achieved a remarkable lap time of 1:32.803, placing him at the top of the timesheets. This performance was 0.058 seconds quicker than McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who also performed well earlier in the day.
Mighty Performance from Top Teams
Max Verstappen, representing Red Bull, finished in third place, trailing Antonelli by 0.359 seconds. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, encountered technical issues, limiting his time on track. Despite these setbacks, he managed to secure the fourth-fastest time overall, with a lap that was 0.605 seconds off the pace set by Antonelli.
Notable Moments from Testing
- Ferrari’s Hamilton demonstrated impressive skills during practice starts, reinforcing hopes for the season.
- The FIA introduced practice starts to ease concerns over the new 2026 power units’ getaway times.
- Ferrari’s engineering team debuted a unique rear wing design, showcasing innovation in active aerodynamics.
Ferrari’s new wing, which features a rotating upper flap, was briefly tested before reverting to a standard design in the afternoon. This innovative approach aims to minimize drag on straights, and the team plans to implement it in select races this season.
Detailed Test Results
| Driver | Team | Lap Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:32.803 | 79 |
| Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:32.861 | 86 |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:33.162 | 139 |
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:33.408 | 78 |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:33.453 | 72 |
| Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:33.818 | 120 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | 1:33.987 | 73 |
| George Russell | Mercedes | 1:34.111 | 77 |
| Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:34.201 | 58 |
| Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:34.532 | 106 |
| Alex Albon | Williams | 1:34.555 | 117 |
| Sergio Perez | Cadillac | 1:35.369 | 50 |
| Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:37.472 | 68 |
Overall, the performance of teams like Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari indicates a competitive season ahead. Alpine also showcased solid preparation with Franco Colapinto setting a strong time. Meanwhile, Aston Martin struggled with reliability, marking a challenging start to the year.
As testing progresses, teams will continue to fine-tune their strategies and tech to enhance performance on the track. Keep following Filmogaz.com for the latest updates and insights.
