2025 F1 Pre-Season Testing Begins in Bahrain: Teams Evaluate New Cars

MANAMA, Bahrain — The 2025 Formula One pre-season testing kicked off on February 26 at the Bahrain International Circuit, gathering all ten teams for three days of intense car evaluations ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.

This year’s testing is particularly significant as teams seek to fine-tune their strategies and verify the performance of newly designed cars. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was the first to hit the track at 10 a.m. local time, joined by seasoned drivers like Lewis Hamilton, who has transitioned to Ferrari.

Bahrain, known for its long straights and varied corner speeds, offers teams an ideal environment to assess their performance under conditions representative of the racing calendar. According to reports, these test sessions focus on evaluating car performance and making necessary adjustments before the racing season officially begins.

”F1 pre-season testing allows the teams to put their cars through their paces before the year’s opening race,” shared a spokesperson from GOAL, emphasizing the importance of the testing phase.

The testing period runs until February 28, with daily sessions from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., divided between a morning and afternoon session. Unique to this event, teams are allowed to run only one car at a time, giving each driver a total of 12 hours of driving time across the three days.

This year’s testing showcases significant changes in car designs. Enthusiasm surrounds Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari, alongside notable rookie drivers including Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber. These shifts have created heightened anticipation regarding how they will impact performance in the upcoming season.

During each session, engineers strategically gather critical data to make necessary tweaks and improvements to the cars. The reliable weather conditions in Bahrain aid this process, minimizing disruptions as teams prepare for next month’s races. The Bahrain International Circuit has consistently hosted racing events since 2004, known for its overtaking opportunities and challenging layout.

Television networks globally are gearing up for comprehensive testing coverage. Viewers in the UK can catch all sessions and driver interviews live on Sky Sports F1, with additional options available through ESPN+ and various local broadcasters for fans outside the UK.

As teams navigate through the testing days, they focus on evolving their strategies based on data collected. Each session presents unique challenges, bridging the gap between off-season adjustments and actual competition.

While timesheets can hint at potential competitive spots, teams focus more on data collection and driver acclimatization than outright speed during testing. Historical data has shown that results from pre-season can be misleading; notably, last year’s testing saw driver Lando Norris rank 14th on the final day despite a strong season.

Overall, the 2025 F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain represents a crucial preparatory phase where teams ignite their ambitions and lay the groundwork for the upcoming season. As teams and drivers calibrate their machines, fans eagerly watch to see how these changes will play out on race day.