Across two intensive three‑day sessions in Bahrain, the eleven Formula 1 teams completed their full pre‑season running, offering the clearest early indication of reliability, preparation, and operational sharpness ahead of the new campaign. F1Technical’s senior writer Balazs Szabo delivers his latest analysis.
While lap times tend to dominate fan discussions, total mileage remains one of the most valuable metrics for judging how ready each team truly is—and this year’s numbers highlight a striking spread across the grid.
Mercedes emerged as the most productive outfit of the entire field, completing 6,193 km over the six days. The team’s ability to run consistently with minimal interruptions suggests a stable and dependable package, giving engineers a wealth of data to analyse before the season opener.
Haas delivered one of the surprises of testing by finishing just behind Mercedes with 6,095 km. Their strong reliability allowed them to maximise every session, and their total even edged out Ferrari, who completed 6,090 km.
The near‑identical mileage between Haas and Ferrari underscores the robustness of the Ferrari power unit and the efficiency of both teams’ testing programmes.
McLaren also enjoyed a productive pre‑season, logging 5,759 km as they continued to refine their car’s aerodynamic platform. Racing Bulls followed closely with 5,458 km, signalling a structured and reliable testing effort that should give them confidence heading into the first race.
Alpine completed 5,289 km, placing them firmly in the midfield of the mileage table. Their total suggests a generally smooth test, though with slightly less running than the teams ahead.
Red Bull, meanwhile, recorded 5,048 km.
Audi completed 4,966 km, a respectable total for a team still refining its package as it prepares for a full works entry. Williams followed with 4,275 km, reflecting a mixed test with both productive stretches and periods of limited running.
Cadillac, entering the sport with significant anticipation, accumulated 3,935 km. Aston Martin completed 2,111 km, the lowest mileage of any team, leaving them and their new engine partner, Honda with more unanswered questions than their rivals as the season approaches.
