Back on the track in Bahrain. Fresh from cockpit of our new F1 car, the AMR25, Aston Martin Aramco drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso reflect on their running alongside CEO and Team Principal Andy Cowell as we round-up pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit.
Both Lance and Fernando Alonso shared driving duties across three cold, windy days at Bahrain International Circuit as they got to grips with our 2025 challenger together with the team.
Day three round-up and reaction
Lance wasn't feeling a hundred per cent overnight, so Fernando stepped in for the morning session, where he set 49 laps.
In the afternoon, Lance returned to the cockpit of the AMR25. However, he was unfortunately still feeling unwell, and after 34 laps, he handed driving duties back over to Fernando.
Fernando drove an additional 33 laps in the afternoon. After three days of testing, his total number of laps stands at 173.
Our team gathered data over 306 laps and over 1600km, with significant data collected that will be further analysed by our team back at AMR Technology Campus.
#14 | Fernando Alonso
"I've had a short pre-season testing as we encountered a few small issues and the weather impacted our running a little over the three days, but it was the same for everyone. I haven't followed the results of testing because we have just been focussing on our programme during the test. We do have some positives with the new car compared to 2024, but there are still some things that we need to work on and improve as we prepare for Australia.
"We experimented a little with some mechanical changes during the test but the track conditions were not at their best. It's only testing and we won't know how everyone looks until Qualifying in Melbourne."
#18 | Lance Stroll
"Getting back to work at testing and feeling the new car is always an exciting time of the year. A lot of effort has gone into the AMR25 over the winter to try and improve various car characteristics, so it was nice to get my first feeling for those changes this week. You always learn so much from those first moments in the car and there are some things that feel better, but it is still very early days and difficult to say too much until we get to Melbourne.
"The final day of running was a bit disrupted because I was feeling unwell. I managed to do 34 laps this afternoon but Fernando took over to finish the session."
Andy Cowell | CEO & Team Principal
"Our first few days working with the AMR25 have been busy and productive. The focus has been on learning about this car, the new aero package, checking all the systems, and gathering data from a huge number of experiments and test items. There has been a massive effort from the team on the ground in Bahrain and back at base [in Silverstone] to run the car and crunch all the data, which is already helping us paint a picture of where we are.
"Initial feedback from Lance and Fernando suggests we have made progress with the drivability of the car, but we have also discovered areas that could be better and need more focus. It is very early days to be making any judgements on how much progress we have made during the winter and how we compare to our competition. We have been focused on ourselves; we have just kept our heads down to get the data and information we need before the racing begins in a couple of weeks' time."
Next up
The 2025 Formula One World Championship gets under way in Australia, with 58 laps around Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit. The weekend's first Free Practice session begins at 01:30 GMT on 14 March, and lights out for the Grand Prix takes place 16 March at 04:00 GMT. Check out our season page for upcoming race schedules.
Day two
Fernando was the first of our drivers to take to the track and begin gathering important data.
After rain affected all drivers during the morning session, resulting in less running than expected, Fernando set 45 laps spanning over 240km.
Lance took over for the afternoon session. After 57 laps and over 300km covered, he finished the day classified sixth, with Fernando in P11.
Andy Cowell | CEO & Team Principal
Day one
Of the 35 tyres our team were able to select across Pirelli's tyre range, we brought eight of the C1 compound, four C2s, 20 C3s and three Intermediate tyres to Bahrain for pre-season testing.
Fernando was first out in the windy Bahrain desert. He collected data over 46 laps, covering 250km.
For the afternoon session, it was Lance's turn to get behind the wheel. Running 42 laps, he collected valuable information amid chilly conditions.
Lance's session was interrupted by a power outage at the track, resulting in a Red Flag and rendering teams unable to continue running. When the session got back underway, it was extended by an hour, allowing for additional time on track.
#18 | Lance Stroll
Andy Cowell | CEO & Team Principal
Stoffel's guide to F1 testing
Aston Martin Aramco Test and Reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne provides an illuminating and must-read guide to pre-season testing.
Take a closer look
From the carefully sculpted bodywork to the delicate calibration of components, the AMR25 is the culmination of countless hours of craft and dedication.
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