Everything you need to know about F1 2025 pre-season testing
20 January 2025The start of the 2025 F1 season is coming up fast, and with team launch dates filling up quickly, the next event on the calendar in the build-up to Melbourne is pre-season testing.
READ MORE: F1 2025 car launches
A team’s performance in these crucial days of preparation can set the tone for the early races of the season, so naturally there’s a lot of buzz – from both teams and fans – around the three days of running.
Here you’ll find answers to some of the most asked questions about F1 2025 pre-season testing…
What is F1 2025 pre-season testing?
Pre-season testing presents F1 teams with the first non-virtual opportunity to evaluate their cars for the upcoming season. Since unlimited testing was banned back in 2009, teams and drivers now have three short days to put their new challengers through their paces, collecting valuable data that will help refine the cars ahead of the season opener.
During F1 2025 pre-season testing, teams will focus on:
- Gathering data on aerodynamics.
- Testing Pirelli tyres for the new season.
- Refining new designs to maximise performance, while complying with this season’s regulations.
When and where does F1 2025 pre-season testing take place?
F1’s 2025 pre-season test will be held on February 26, 27 and 28 at the Bahrain International Circuit. Reliable weather, long straights and a blend of corner speeds make the track a favourable venue for testing, providing conditions representative of those the teams will encounter regularly throughout the season.
Although exact timings are yet to be announced, test session times are largely consistent from season to season. 2024’s pre-season test session times were as follows:
Time zone | Wednesday, February 26 | Thursday, February 27 | Friday, February 28 |
|---|---|---|---|
AST (local) | 10:00-19:00 | 10:00-19:00 | 10:00-19:00 |
GMT (UK) | 07:00-16:00 | 07:00-16:00 | 07:00-16:00 |
Which drivers will be participating?
All 20 of the confirmed F1 drivers for the 2025 season will take part in the pre-season test. Each team’s two race drivers will share seat time across the three days, and some may opt to run a reserve or development driver.
Big names will be getting up to speed with their new machinery – think Lewis Hamilton’s first laps in a Ferrari and Carlos Sainz making his Williams debut – while the rookies of Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto will be clocking their first laps in the championship and getting up to speed with the demands of an F1 car.
READ MORE: F1 2025 driver line-ups
How can I watch F1 2025 pre-season testing?
F1 Fans can stream the 2025 pre-season test live on two platforms:
- Sky Sports F1 will show testing live with commentary on all three days and customers can access the broadcast out and about with Sky Go.
- Coverage is also available via a separate subscription on Now TV.
Highlights from each day of testing will also be available on F1’s YouTube channel.
