Carlos Sainz Sets the Pace on Day 2 of Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain

The second day of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit saw Carlos Sainz make a statement, as the Williams driver not only set the fastest lap of the day but also logged the highest mileage with an impressive 127 laps. In a session filled with changing conditions, minor incidents, and strategic long runs, the Spaniard ended the day 0.031s ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.

Morning Session: Hamilton on Top Early

Day 2 kicked off with Lewis Hamilton leading the charge for Ferrari, as the seven-time World Champion laid down a solid benchmark time. Teams once again split their running between drivers, with notable exceptions in Red Bull and Williams, as Liam Lawson and Carlos Sainz ran for the full day before their teammates take over on Friday.

Mercedes continued to show promise, with George Russell placing fourth in the morning, just behind Charles Leclerc, who kept Ferrari in the mix with another strong performance.

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Afternoon Action: Sainz Takes Control

As the afternoon session got underway at 1500 local time, Sainz wasted no time in getting back on track. The Williams driver, despite a minor spin, showed impressive speed throughout, gradually improving his lap times under the fading desert sun. Light drizzle briefly complicated proceedings, catching out both Sainz and Leclerc, but the Spaniard ultimately posted a session-best 1m 29.348s lap, narrowly beating Hamilton's earlier effort.

Sainz's strong performance marked a significant moment for Williams, as they continue to develop their package for the 2025 season. The Spaniard also repeated his feat from 2024, when he topped the second day of pre-season testing -- then as a Ferrari driver.

Key Takeaways from Day 2

Sainz's High Mileage & Fastest Time -- With 127 laps under his belt, Sainz not only set the best time but also proved Williams' reliability in race simulations.
Ferrari's Consistency -- Hamilton and Leclerc continued to show strong one-lap pace, suggesting the Scuderia remains in the fight at the front.
Mercedes Solid Again -- Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth respectively, keeping Mercedes well within contention.
Aston Martin Progressing -- Lance Stroll placed sixth, signaling steady development from the Silverstone-based squad.
Red Bull's Mixed Day -- Liam Lawson lost track time due to a water system issue, limiting his full potential, but still managed P7.
Haas Keeping Their Cards Close -- The American team opted for a different run plan, with Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman running outside the top 10.

Final Preparations for Day 3

With just one day of pre-season testing left, teams will be fine-tuning their setups before heading into the season opener in Bahrain. The FIA closed the session with procedural checks, including a simulated formation lap and practice start, ensuring teams had a taste of real-race conditions.

The third and final day of testing kicks off on Friday at 10:00 AM local time, where the final pieces of the competitive puzzle will start to fall into place. Will Red Bull unleash their full potential? Can Ferrari maintain their consistency? And is Williams' pace a sign of things to come? All eyes will be on the Bahrain International Circuit as the pre-season countdown nears its conclusion.