Official F1 Journal Guide to Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing

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Formula 1 is back for the 2025 season and is set for pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 26-28, before the first race takes place in Australia on March 16.

The three day test will take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with team choosing to split their drivers across the three days however they wish. There will be six sessions, three each day with a morning and afternoon session.

Pre-season testing marks the first time that all ten teams will be together in one location this season, ahead of the 24 race season. it will also be the first time that many drivers will be seen driving for their news teams, including Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari. It will also be the first time Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan, Oliver Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto head out onto the track with full-time F1 seats.

After the hugely successful F175 livery reveal event at the O2 in London, the hype for the season is bigger than ever.

However, in the past pre-season testing has sometimes been a case of smoke and mirrors with teams trying to decode clues and solve riddles and find out as much as they can about the other teams on the grid.

The drivers will head out onto the Bahrain International Circuit, which will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in April. The circuit is 5.412 km (3.363 mi) and has a combination of long straights, tight corners, and high-speed sections, mastering this track requires a blend of precision, speed, and exceptional skill.

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Bahrain Testing Schedule

Wednesday 26 February 2025 - 07:00 to 16:00 GMT
Thursday 27 February 2025 - 07:00 to 16:00 GMT
Friday 28 February 2025 - 07:00 to 16:00 GMT

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Team Running/Driver Lineups

                       Wednesday                          Thursday                                Friday
                       AM                 PM               AM                 PM                  AM              PM
McLaren        Oscar            Lando          Oscar             Lando               Lando           Oscar
Mercedes      Kimi               George        George          Kimi                  Kimi              George
Ferrari           Lewis            Charles        TBC               TBC                  TBC              TBC
Williams        Alex             Carlos           Carlos          Carlos                  Alex             Alex
Aston Martin Fernando    Lance            Fernando    Lance                 Lance           Fernando
Alpine            Jack             Pierre            Pierre          Jack                   Jack              Pierre
Haas             Ollie              Esteban         Esteban       Ollie                   Ollie             Esteban      Red Bull        Liam             Max                Liam            Liam                   Max              Max
RB                 Yuki             Isack               Yuki             Isack                   Isack           Yuki            Sauber          Nico            Gabriel             Nico            Gabriel                Gabriel         Nico