F1 Testing 2025: Sky Sports activities’ Ted Kravitz selects pecking order for brand new season following three-day occasion in Bahrain | F1 Information

Following pre-season testing in Bahrain, Sky Sports activities F1’s Ted Kravitz selects his pecking order going into the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

1. McLaren

That is the one factor that I feel everyone can agree on, is that if the Bahrain Grand Prix, even in these situations, occurred tomorrow, it could most likely be a McLaren one-two with Lando Norris simply shading Oscar Piastri.

Norris has been unashamedly somewhat bit extra optimistic. It is bizarre although, as a result of speaking to Piastri this morning, he appeared a bit extra downbeat, however you by no means find out about Piastri.

However it seems like it could be a one-two for McLaren. The consensus is that they’ve two tenths of a second per lap on the sector.

2. Ferrari
3. Mercedes
4. Pink Bull

You possibly can throw a dustsheet over Max Verstappen’s Pink Bull, and Mercedes, and the very best of Ferrari, once they’re getting it proper.

I’ve gone for Mercedes and Ferrari the identical, after which the inherent tempo of the Pink Bull is somewhat bit behind them. However it depends upon who’s driving that Pink Bull.

Curiously, Mercedes assume Ferrari are simply with them, precisely with them, and never even a tenth between them. So, it is extremely, very finely poised between Ferrari and Mercedes.

However the large query is, the place does Max Verstappen are available in there? And on an excellent day, with an incredible Max Verstappen lap, do you assume he may beat each Mercedes and Ferrari? It is potential.

I am unsure Ferrari have as many points as some have prompt, as a result of Charles Leclerc’s race run of yesterday (Thursday), was excellent, and Hamilton’s saying that the automotive is fairly good.

5. Williams
6. Alpine

I am happening the Sainz race run of yesterday, which was stable. Albon has performed an excellent time right this moment, and the Williams seems an excellent package deal, and people two drivers, I feel, can see it forward of the Alpine. So, I am going Williams, then Alpine.

You can not deny that Sainz-Albon goes to be, in terms of Melbourne qualifying, extra dialled in than Pierre Gasly, who’s going to be proper up there, however Jack Doohan has had the form of check that you’d anticipate from a rookie who’s feeling strain in all areas.

7. Haas

Subsequent is the unimaginable alternative of what on earth Haas could have in terms of qualifying in Melbourne. Maybe for not more than a little bit of extrapolation from some GPS figures, and gasoline corrected, as a result of we predict they’ve by no means run with lower than at the very least half tanks, 50 kilos of gasoline in, and there is such a distinction in there, and people 10 kilos is price three tenths of a second.

You possibly can throw three tenths of a second between Alpine-Williams, Williams-Alpine, Haas, after which RB, they might all be lined by three tenths of a second.

The Haas is an effective automotive, Ayao Komatsu is just not frightened about its tempo, that is the essential factor. After I spoke to him yesterday, I mentioned, ‘do not it’s good to take the gasoline out to see the tempo?’ He mentioned, ‘I am not frightened in regards to the tempo, I feel it is okay, we have to try this’. So I am proud of placing Haas instantly behind Alpine and Williams.

8. Aston Martin
9. Racing Bulls

I used to be going to present Aston Martin the good thing about the doubt, they’ve had a really troublesome day right this moment right here, and Lance Stroll has been unwell, his sickness made Fernando Alonso go first, then Lance confirmed up, did half of the afternoon, then needed to go dwelling once more as a result of he was unwell, Fernando Alonso was again in. Compromised, very undoubtedly compromised final day. It is a clean canvas that Aston Martin, ready for Adrian Newey.

I used to be going to present them the good thing about the doubt, till I spoke to Lawrence Stroll, who was leaving, I congratulated him on changing into a grandfather, and he was like, ‘yeah, it is nice being a grandfather, , improbable’.

After which I received to the purpose of the automotive, and I mentioned, ‘oh, automotive seems higher’. (Ted imitates a disillusioned facial features pulled by Lawrence Stroll). They’ve dropped again. I am placing them, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll on an excellent day, forward of RB. I am placing them eighth, however they may very well be ninth.

10. Sauber

It is an enchancment, somewhat bit from final yr, however they’re not likely about this yr, are they, Sauber? James Key’s doing the very best he can. It is reliable-ish. It can give Bortoleto and Hulkenberg an opportunity to go round, however factors, it appears, shall be fairly skinny on the bottom.

It would not have a lot of a stability, however they will race from there. But when it is true that Aston Martin is ninth forward of Sauber, then Adrian Newey’s first day of labor on Monday can not come rapidly sufficient.

When is the primary F1 race?

For the primary time since 2019, the season-opener shall be held in Melbourne on the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16. The primary race has switched from Bahrain to Australia on account of Ramadan happening all through March.

There are 24 occasions on the 2025 F1 calendar, the identical quantity as final yr, with the season ending on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 5-7.

Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 Method 1 season reside on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Australian GP on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime