The excitement is palpable as the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, with pre-season testing officially kicking off at the Bahrain International Circuit. Over three days from February 26 to 28, teams and drivers will have their first major opportunity to evaluate the performance of their new cars before the championship kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
Fans can tune in to the action via various broadcast channels, including Bandsports and Bandplay, with coverage starting at 4 AM Brasilia time each day.
The testing schedule is well-structured, featuring ten teams all eager to spotlight their new machines and assess technical updates. The sessions run from 4 AM to 1 PM (Brasilia time), allowing teams to gather valuable data on car performance. This year’s pre-season testing is especially significant, as it follows the previous season's close competition and the anticipated shake-up among the teams.
On the first day of tests, the atmosphere is noticeably cooler than usual for Bahrain, with the temperature hovering around 15°C to 17°C—far from the typical scorching heat the region is known for during the racing season. According to meteorological reports, the day is expected to be mostly cloudy with promising conditions for uninterrupted track time. Rain was not on the horizon, ensuring the teams could maximize their time on the circuit without weather disruptions.
Opening the track on February 26, iconic driver Lewis Hamilton makes headlines as he takes his first official laps with Ferrari. Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari after years at Mercedes has jazzed up the grid, with fans and analysts eager to see how the seven-time world champion adapts to his new team. He is scheduled to drive the SF-25, starting the morning session alongside teammate Charles Leclerc.
Other notable drivers include Liam Lawson, who will spearhead Red Bull's testing on the RB21, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will make his debut for Mercedes. The highly anticipated challenge for teams like Red Bull is to reclaim their championship title after losing it the past season. Meanwhile, Mercedes will look to solidify its legacy with fresh talent stepping up to the plate.
The test schedule is tightly packed, with alternating driver lineups throughout the three days. McLaren will field Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, Ferrari’s Hamilton and Leclerc, and Red Bull’s Lawson and Verstappen, ensuring ample data collection to refine car setups. Each team aims to strike the right balance and adapt their vehicles to expected race conditions.
Throughout the testing days, teams are set to rotate drivers to acquire varying feedback on the car's performance. For example, the Aston Martin team has Fernando Alonso for the morning sessions and Lance Stroll for the afternoons on the first two days, before switching the schedule on the final test day.
The Haas team has planned for rookie Oliver Bearman to drive initially, juxtaposed against veteran Esteban Ocon, highlighting the blend of experience and fresh talent making its mark. Similarly, the Williams team aims to optimize their setup with driving duties shared between Alex Albon and the returning Carlos Sainz.
There’s also some buzz surrounding the rookie, Gabriel Bortoleto, who is making his debut with Sauber. Following the exit of Felipe Massa, Bortoleto's participation symbolizes the promising rise of new talent within the sport. He will showcase the C45, balancing responsibilities with Nico Hülkenberg, as they both gather valuable data for the team's preparations.
Besides anticipated driver performances, the technical changes made to the cars are equally noteworthy. The teams are testing new aerodynamic packages, power units, and consultation on tire compounds to gather comprehensive feedback. Teams often enter pre-season testing with numerous adjustments to evaluate before committing them to race situations.
The team at Grande Prêmio is providing up-to-the-minute coverage of the event, ensuring fans stay connected to all insights and developments as they happen. With only weeks left before the grand spectacle of the Australian Grand Prix, every detail counts as teams aim to start the season on the right foot.
Looking forward, the testing sessions culminate two weeks before the season opener, and these preliminary outings could hold keys to success or struggles for each team. Following the three days of intense evaluations, teams will head to Australia, where the real test of their adjustments and strategy will finally debut on the track.
Formula 1 remains at the cusp of innovation and excitement, and with the starting lights just around the corner, this year’s pre-season tests promise to lay the foundation for yet another thrilling racing season.