2025 is F1’s most polite title battle ever – Up/Down in Austria
Describing this year's championship race as a 'battle' might be slightly over-egging it, writes James Elson
Results and a recap from Formula 1 testing at Yas Marina on November 27-28
Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel set the fastest times in postseason Formula 1 testing at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, on November 27-28.
Mercedes only fielded one car with Valtteri Bottas driving in both days of the test to finish third-fastest overall.
The test involved the 2018 cars on 2019 Pirelli tyres, with numerous drivers testing for their new squads for the first time.
Max Verstappen was narrowly quicker than Pierre Gasly, who drove on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Lando Norris drove for McLaren before new team-mate Carlos Sainz stepped in on Wednesday to finish four-tenths off Norris.
More: Stroll confirmed to drive for Force India
Haas fielded Pietro Fittipaldi (15th) who finished ahead of Robert Kubica in the standings and behind fellow Haas junior driver Louis Delétraz. The 21-year-old Swiss driver also topped Formula 2 testing in Abu Dhabi with Carlin.
Daniil Kvyat returned to Toro Rosso, finishing 13th fastest overall behind Williams’ new driver George Russell. Russell drove on both days of the test.
Rounding out the standings, Sean Gelael finished behind the Sauber pair of Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi.
Position | Driver | Day 1 time | Day 2 time | Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Charles Leclerc | 1min36.450 | Ferrari | |
2 | Sebastian Vettel | 1min36.812 | Ferrari | |
3 | Valtteri Bottas | 1min37.231 | 1min38.448 | Mercedes |
4 | Lance Stroll | 1min37.415 | 1min38.044 | Force India |
5 | Pierre Gasly | 1min37.916 | Red Bull | |
6 | Max Verstappen | 1min37.947 | Red Bull | |
7 | Sergio Pérez | 1min37.976 | Force India | |
8 | Lando Norris | 1min38.187 | McLaren | |
9 | Carlos Sainz | 1min38.547 | McLaren | |
10 | Artem Markelov | 1min38.590 | Renault | |
11 | Nico Hülkenberg | 1min38.789 | Renault | |
12 | George Russell | 1min39.512 | 1min38.802 | Williams |
13 | Daniil Kvyat | 1min38.862 | Toro Rosso | |
14 | Louis Delétraz | 1min39.069 | Haas | |
15 | Pietro Fittipaldi | 1min39.201 | Haas | |
16 | Robert Kubica | 1min39.269 | 1min44.208 | Williams |
17 | Kimi Räikkönen | 1min39.878 | Sauber | |
18 | Antonio Giovinazzi | 1min40.435 | Sauber | |
19 | Sean Gelael | 1min40.435 | Toro Rosso |
Describing this year's championship race as a 'battle' might be slightly over-egging it, writes James Elson
You had to read between the lines at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix as George Russell dropped hints over about his dissatisfaction, and F1 sent a message to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem
From zero to hero: in a pacy McLaren, at one of his favourite F1 circuits, Lando Norris picked himself up from a disastrous Canadian race to reign supreme in the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix
Full F1 schedule for the year, including the next F1 race of 2025: the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the whole calendar and circuit guides for the 24-race Formula 1 season