George Russell ended 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing by clinching the fastest time on the final day in Bahrain ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, Afrosport reports.
Russell covered 91 laps in his Mercedes but his time of one minute 29.545 seconds was unable to beat the best time in testing from Williams’ Carlos Sainz (one minute, 29.366 seconds) on Thursday.
He was however able to finish 0.021 seconds clear of Verstappen who was unable to complete a full-distance race run in Bahrain. The Red Bull driver still finished ahead of Alex Albon in the other Williams, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Lewis Hamilton did not have a smooth run on the final day of testing after his SF-25 went off the road several times and went into the garage after completing just 47 laps. The seven-time world champion was still able to set the sixth fastest time ahead of Yuki Tsunoda and Estaban Ocon in the Racing Bulls and Haas respectively.
Day 3 ✅
The final day of #F1Testing is done and dusted and the classification is in… 👇#F1 pic.twitter.com/GI83UpRC8F
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 28, 2025
Charles Leclerc, who topped the morning session for Ferrari, was bumped down to ninth, with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli wrapping up the top 10.
