McLaren pull ace on rivals amid Red Bull concerns - international media reacts to F1 testing

The three days of F1 pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit drew to a close on Friday evening, with McLaren impressing the most.

The Woking team heads into the campaign well positioned to retain its championship crown, which would be a first for the papaya squad since 1991.

Red Bull had problems to contend with, whilst Ferrari threw up some question marks. Much will be said and written about over the coming weeks as the paddock readies itself for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

So, what did the world's press have to say about the first running of the 2025 F1 season? Find out below.

🇬🇧 The Times - 'Hamilton: McLaren could be even quicker than Red Bull this year'

British broadsheet newspaper The Times focused on comments from Lewis Hamilton to sum up the general feeling of how things look after F1 pre-season testing.

The British driver has joined Ferrari for the 2025 campaign, but it is his former team, McLaren, he believes will set the early pace.

🇳🇱 De Telegraaf - 'Test days are over: McLaren promoted to favourite, doubts about Max Verstappen and Red Bull'

Dutch tabloid De Telegraaf honed in on the troubles at Red Bull for Max Verstappen, as 27-year-old prepares for what could be an ill-fated drivers' title defence.

He is aiming for a record-matching fifth championship in succession, but given the strength the teams around the Milton Keynes squad, it is likely easier said than done.

🇮🇹 La Gazzetta dello Sport - 'Bahrain Test, the balance: McLaren on pole, Hamilton better than Leclerc and the usual super Max'

Italian sports publication La Gazzetta dello Sport highlighted McLaren's front running pace and also Verstappen's exploits despite the difficult Red Bull RB21.

However, it is the middle part of the headline that triggers most intrigue, zeroing in on Hamilton having the measure on new team-mate Charles Leclerc.

🇪🇸 El País - 'Williams puts a smile on Carlos Sainz's face'

Spanish newspaper El País addressed native son Carlos Sainz, who topped the second day of the test at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The 30-year-old is still getting up to speed in the Williams having switched from Ferrari over the winter, but that did not prevent him setting the fastest time overall across the three days.

🇫🇷 L'Equipe - ''In a much better position than last year': Alpine driver Pierre Gasly confident after Bahrain test'

Another outlet to focus on a driver from the country of its publication, France's L'Equipe covered Pierre Gasly, who impressed on the final day of running in Bahrain.

The one-time grand prix winner topped the timing board for much of the last session, trading times with George Russell.

🇦🇺 Herald Sun - 'Mercedes’ George Russell posts fastest time at testing edging Red Bull’s Max Verstappen'

Australian tabloid the Herald Sun did not address either of the nation's two F1 drivers for 2025, instead highlighting the exciting end to testing, as Russell narrowly got the better of Verstappen in the closing minutes.

How close Mercedes is to Red Bull - and Ferrari and McLaren - could prove a major talking point across the season, with the general consensus that all four teams will be difficult to pull apart.