F1 Testing Results Today: Lewis Hamilton replacement SHINES as champions make STRUGGLING start

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Abu Dhabi, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 2025 Testing

F1 Testing Results Today: Lewis Hamilton replacement SHINES as champions make STRUGGLING start

2025's first timed session kicked off pre-season testing

Originally written by Sam Cook. This version is a translation.

Wednesday 26 February 2025 12:50

The first session of pre-season testing ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season is now in the books, with Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes replacement leading the way so far.

Kimi Antonelli might be a rookie, but as F1 cars hit the track for the first time this season at Bahrain International Circuit, the young Italian set the fastest lap time of 1:31.428.

For the full testing results from day one in Bahrain, please see here.

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Lewis Hamilton himself, meanwhile, got off to an average start in his highly-anticipated official Ferrari debut, ranking fifth in the timings after this morning's session in his new car.

It was also a slow start for the reigning constructors' champions McLaren, with Oscar Piastri at the wheel of the papaya car this morning, they could only manage the eighth-fastest time.

With all of that said and ahead of cars hitting the track once again later today, let's take a look at this morning's results in full.

F1 2025 testing results and times

Here is how the top 10 looks after the first session of pre-season testing on Wednesday morning.

Position	Driver	Team	Time / Gap
1	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	1:31.428
2	Liam Lawson	Red Bull	+0.132s
3	Alex Albon	Williams	+0.145s
4	Yuki Tsunoda	VCARB	+0.182s
5	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+0.406s
6	Jack Doohan	Alpine	+0.413s
7	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+0.446s
8	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+0.656s
9	Nico Hulkenberg	Sauber	+0.741s
10	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+4.094s

How to watch F1 pre-season testing on TV

Wednesday's pre-season testing action from the Bahrain International Circuit is set to be shown live on ESPN+ in the United States.

Broadcast details vary depending on your location. Please check below to see how to watch F1 live in your country.

Country	Broadcaster(s)
United States	ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Mexico	Fox Sports Mexico, Televisa
Australia	Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo
United Kingdom	Sky Sports, Channel 4
Italy	Sky Italia
Belgium	RTBF, Play Sports
Netherlands	Viaplay, Viaplay Xtra
Spain	DAZN F1
Canada	RDS, RDS 2, TSN, Noovo
Germany	Sky Deutschland, RTL
France	Canal+
Singapore	beIN SPORTS
China	CCTV, Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel, Tencent
Japan	Fuji TV, DAZN
Hungary	M4 (MTVA Sports Channel)
Brazil	Bandeirantes, Bandsports
Austria	Servus TV, ORF
Middle East & Turkey	beIN SPORTS
Africa	SuperSport
Latin America	ESPN

F1 TV Pro subscribers can also watch all of the action from Bahrain pre-season testing live in select regions.

Written by

Sam Cook - Digital Journalist

Sam Cook is a talented young sports journalist and social media professional who now specialises in Formula 1, having previously worked as a football journalist and a local news reporter for a variety of different brands.

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Red Bull Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Kimi Antonelli Bahrain International Circuit