Now that the F1 tests are over, we can get an idea of what the starting grid for the Australian F1 GP might be, especially in terms of the teams.
McLaren has a head start
Lando Norris and Piatri ended up winning the constructors’ world championship in 2024, and everything suggests that the same thing will happen in the first race of the year. During these days of testing, they haven’t gone out to set the fastest time, but their race simulation was terrifying for the other teams. Lando Norris was in charge of showing the public and his rivals the potential of the team and his own.
Ferrari
With Hamilton and Leclerc anything can happen. Formula 1 fans are eager to see how the two will behave fighting in the same team, and who will be the number 1 driver of the team. If we look at the team, Ferrari is as it finished, a team with clear aspirations to the constructors’ title. We will see if this is the year in which they break the worst streak in their history and return to the Olympus of Formula 1.
Mercedes
Mercedes is one of the great unknowns of these tests. It has hardly made any noise but, yes, Russell has set the fastest time in the last tests. As happened last season, they have performed well on days with lower temperatures, but from the pit they do not seem satisfied with the work. But you can never rule out Toto Wolff’s team, and they will surely take advantage of the opportunities that come their way, as they always have. Russell is consecrated, but there are doubts about Antonilli’s performance.
Red Bull
They are saved because they have the best driver on the grid, Max Verstappen, who will almost certainly fight for the drivers’ championship. But as a team, they do not seem to be going through their best times. The practice sessions have been bad, they have not managed to show anything positive, and only the Dutchman’s skill seems to save them from disaster.
Aston Martin
The AMR25 has taken a step forward compared to last year, and Alonso was in charge of confirming it. The car is faster but has left doubts. We will have to see what role Stroll plays, his performance will be key in the team’s classification.
Williams
Good news for Carlos Sainz. Williams has been the big surprise in testing, and everything suggests that they will be fighting at the top of the midfield alongside Aston Martin. Not much was expected of them and they have left with very good test results and the fastest time of the weekend
Alpine
The French team can be satisfied with the Bahrain tests, but it does not seem to have taken a step forward to be above Aston Martin and Williams, but they should not be lost from sight. Gasly stood out during the tests.
Haas
Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon have shown that the team with the smallest budget in Formula 1 seems to be doing things right and could give battle.
Racing Bulls
Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar have not had the best of starts in Bahrain but will try to score some points for the team during the season, although it will not be an easy task
Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will be at the wheel of what appears to be the worst team on the grid. Perhaps the experience of the German driver can offer some surprises at some point during the season, but it seems that the team is more about the future than the present.