The Formula 1 2025 pre-season testing has officially launched this week at the Circuit of Sakhir, Bahrain, running from February 26 to 28. All ten teams from the grid are on-site, signaling the excitement building as they gear up for the upcoming season, which kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
This year’s pre-season tests promise to be particularly intriguing, as fans will witness the debut of Lewis Hamilton driving for Ferrari. Hamilton, who has switched from Mercedes to Ferrari, is under the spotlight, with many wondering how he will compare to teammate Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, the excitement also surrounds 20-year-old Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, making his first appearance behind the wheel of the Sauber car after winning titles in F3 and F2.
The schedule for the three testing days includes two daily sessions, with morning runs taking place from 4 AM to 8 AM and afternoon sessions running from 9 AM to 1 PM, Brasília time. This structure allows teams to optimize their time on the track, testing various components and configurations as they prepare their cars for the new season.
This year, the Circuit of Sakhir will serve as the initial platform for teams to assess their vehicles' performance. Fans and analysts alike will closely observe how the teams adapt their strategies and gather data. The teams are not only testing their cars but also showcasing their new designs and technologies, which could reshape the competitive dynamics during the championship.
One of the points of interest this season is how teams like Aston Martin—with the renowned designer Adrian Newey now part of their ranks—will fare against Ferrari. Fernando Alonso has suggested Aston Martin might even outpace Ferrari throughout the season. For Red Bull, the emphasis is on whether they can deliver Max Verstappen another championship-winning car after finishing third in the constructor standings last year. There are also questions surrounding the dynamics between Verstappen and teammate Liam Lawson.
With all teams hopeful for competitive cars, varying levels of fuel loads and tire choices will likely mean there could be surprises during the testing days. Each team's strategy will lead to diverse approaches as drivers head out onto the track with different goals for data collection and performance enhancement.
Broadcasting the pre-season testing live, BandSports will cover the action extensively, Marking the return of competitive Formula 1 racing to Australia, where the championship last began five years ago, is another exciting element for drivers and fans alike.
The season's anticipation is unmistakable, and for newcomers like Bortoleto, who stated, "I'm very excited to officially accelerate for the first time this year. Since January, I have been putting significant effort on simulators, and now it's time to put everything to practice on the track," the testing will be incredibly important. Bortoleto aims to establish himself among seasoned drivers and make the most of this unique opportunity.
For the established names, including Lando Norris from McLaren, there will also be immense pressure. Norris is now more mature and aiming for the drivers' championship after McLaren claimed the constructors' title last year. The personal dynamics and competitiveness of these drivers will be on full display as they take to the track.
All eyes will be tuned to Bahrain over these three days, where the preliminary hints of what lies ahead for the 2025 season will begin to surface. With strong indications of teams testing aggressive setups and adapting their cars based on previous seasons' performance, the insights gained during this time will be invaluable as they head toward the season opener.
The cars may be familiar, but changes and engineering advancements mean fans should expect excitement and possibly dramatic turns as the championship progresses. With teams eager to lock down their performance, the Bahrain pre-season tests will set the stage for what promises to be another thrilling year of Formula 1 racing.