The start of preseason testing in Bahrain on Wednesday was a major landmark in the lead-up to the new Formula One season, giving all 10 teams a first opportunity to complete extended running with their new cars. With the season opener in Australia just weeks away, every lap at Bahrain International Circuit across all three days is precious.

At the end of nine hours of track time on day one of testing in Bahrain, one more hour than planned, McLaren’s Lando Norris topped the timesheet, picking up from where he left off with his win at the season finale in Abu Dhabi in December,

Lando Norris topped the first day of F1 2025 testing around Bahrain, with all 20 drivers involved in the action as the covers came off the new cars. The afternoon session was halted by over an hour after a regional power outage saw the circuit’s floodlights and garage electricity temporarily out of use,