George Russell Tops Final Day of Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain

The curtain has closed on 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing, and it was George Russell who had the final say, putting Mercedes on top with a last-minute flyer that edged out Max Verstappen by just 0.021s. After three intense days at the Bahrain International Circuit, teams now turn their attention to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Morning Session: Leclerc Leads the Way for Ferrari

Friday's action began with Charles Leclerc setting the pace for Ferrari in the morning session, as teams continued to refine their setups and assess long-run performance. Meanwhile, Red Bull and Williams opted to keep their drivers in the car for the full day, with Max Verstappen and Alex Albon getting extensive track time ahead of the season opener.

Haas had an eventful morning, as Esteban Ocon's car suffered a setback when a piece of the engine cover flew off, leading to a brief delay. However, once running resumed, Pierre Gasly initially set the pace before Verstappen started a series of shorter runs, ultimately clocking a 1m 29.844s to go fastest before the break.

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

Afternoon Drama: Last-Minute Shakeup at the Top

The final session of testing got off to a measured start, with teams ensuring their second drivers were fully prepped for the last hours of on-track action. One notable exception was Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, who had initially returned to the cockpit after missing the morning session due to feeling unwell. However, after completing just 34 laps, he handed over to Fernando Alonso, who stepped in for the final hour of running under the floodlights.

As times started to tumble, Alex Albon briefly claimed P1 with a strong qualifying simulation on the C4 medium tires before Verstappen responded, reclaiming the top spot with a 1m 29.566s lap on the C3 compound. With under half an hour to go, Verstappen's time looked unbeatable, but Russell had other plans. The Mercedes driver delivered a stunning lap of 1m 29.545s, snatching the top spot by a razor-thin margin of 0.021s.

Key Takeaways from Day 3

Russell's Late Surge -- Mercedes ended pre-season testing on a high, with Russell's last-minute flyer showing their potential in one-lap pace.
Verstappen Remains a Threat -- The reigning champion was consistently fast across all three days, focusing on long-run data while still challenging at the top.
Williams Impresses Again -- Albon's P3 finish capped off a strong test for Williams, with Sainz having topped Day 2.
McLaren and Alpine in the Mix -- Piastri and Gasly secured P4 and P5, proving that both teams have promising pace heading into the season.
Ferrari's Mixed Day -- Leclerc led the morning session, but Hamilton's P6 in the afternoon suggested the Scuderia may still have some refining to do.
Reliability Concerns at Haas -- Ocon and Bearman wrapped up a challenging test for Haas, with Ocon reaching 100 laps but suffering a spin late in the session.

Next Stop: Australian Grand Prix

With testing complete, the real battle begins in Melbourne. The Australian Grand Prix, set for March 14-16, will provide the first true indication of the competitive order. Will Mercedes' strong pre-season form translate into race pace? Can Red Bull maintain their dominance? And have Williams truly closed the gap to the front?

The answers will start to emerge when the lights go out at Albert Park.