Leclerc Sets Pace in Final Bahrain Pre-Season Test as Aston Martin Struggles

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari topped the timesheets on the final morning of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, while Aston Martin encountered further setbacks, limiting their track time to just two laps.

Leclerc’s Dominant Performance

Leclerc recorded a fastest lap time of 1m33.689s on the C3 tire, marking the third time he has finished a testing session at the top of the leaderboard over the past two weeks. He also completed the second-highest number of laps on Friday morning with 80 laps at the Sakhir circuit, including a full race simulation utilizing both medium and hard tires. Ferrari continued to evaluate its innovative rear wing design, featuring a 180-degree rotating upper flap, which has been a focal point of discussion throughout testing.

Mercedes and Piastri Follow

Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes finished second, 0.227 seconds behind Leclerc, also setting his fastest lap on the C3 tire. Still, Antonelli’s session was cut short after 49 laps due to a loss of pneumatic pressure, necessitating a power unit change and preventing his return to the track for the remaining 100 minutes. Oscar Piastri rounded out the top three.

Aston Martin’s Difficult Test

Aston Martin’s pre-season preparations continued to be hampered by issues. The team was restricted to only two laps of running on Friday, following problems experienced on Thursday involving a battery-related issue during Fernando Alonso’s session. Honda, Aston Martin’s power unit provider, released a statement acknowledging the battery problem and outlining that simulations were being conducted at their Sakura facility. Due to the limited parts availability, Aston Martin’s running plan was significantly curtailed.

Honda Addresses Issues

According to Honda, the issue experienced with Fernando Alonso on Thursday was battery-related and impacted their test plan. They have been conducting simulations to address the problem, but a shortage of power unit parts has limited track time.

Looking Ahead

The conclusion of the Bahrain test marks the end of pre-season preparations. Teams will now analyze the data collected and make final adjustments before the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Aston Martin will be particularly focused on resolving their power unit issues to ensure a competitive start to the campaign.