Russell claims final day of F1 testing

The 2025 pre-season Formula 1 test is complete with George Russell and Mercedes having the final say.

Russell just snuck ahead of Max Verstappen in a close fight for fastest in the evening as just 0.021s split the leading pair.

Ultimately Russell’s 1:29.545 was just enough, while Alex Albon ended a good week for Williams in third ahead of Australia’s Oscar Piastri.

Piastri got through 84 laps and looked solid in his one and only session of the test in the faster and more representative night conditions.

Behind the Aussie were Pierre Gasly, Lewis Hamtilon and Yuki Tsunoda, who rounded out the top seven and were the only other drivers within a second of the #63.

Despite being down in 11th Lando Norris looked ominous and was on a lap that was set to be fastest, only for a moment coming out of the final corner.

Albon and Esteban Ocon were the only drivers to break the 100-lap barrier with the Williams driver doing the full day.

It was not a smooth day for Aston Martin with Lance Stroll backing out after 34 laps due to illness.

The most dramatic day was not caused by any of the 20 F1 cars however.

The evening session was stopped after just seven minutes when a bus was seen driving in front of the barriers in the run off area on the outside of Turns 9 and 10.

With Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon and Yuki Tsunoda all on track, the session was stopped immediately as the bus was pushed back on course away from the race track.

“The red flag this afternoon was for an unauthorised vehicle,” a FIA spokesperson said. 

“It was not on the track, but on the service road. 

“However, it was unprotected by barriers and we did not know where it was going.

“Every track incident is thoroughly looked into and we’re sure feedback will be shared with the relevant stakeholders and the appropriate actions taken.”

Overall Sainz’s 1:29.348 set on day two remains the fastest time of the test just ahead of Hamilton.

The battle for the most laps between the teams was just as close with Mercedes edging Haas by just one lap with 458, while Racing Bulls and Alpine were also over 400, while all teams recorded at least 300.

Ocon was the busiest driver of the three days with 260 tours of Sakhir, 17 more than rookie Isack Hadjar.

Now all eyes turn to Melbourne for the season opening Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16.

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.