Formula 1 pre-season kicks off in Bahrain
The wait is over. The 2025 Formula 1 season officially kicks off this week with the traditional pre-season testing, which will take place at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain . From 26 to 28 February, the teams will have just three days to test their new cars and make the final adjustments before the opening Grand Prix in Melbourne. With the reduction in test sessions in recent years, every day becomes crucial for drivers and engineers in their preparation for the new campaign.
Unlike previous seasons where testing was more extensive, the 2025 preseason is reduced to just three days of on-track activity . Teams strategically divide the time between their drivers, giving each one a day and a half or sharing each day between both. The sessions will take place in two shifts: from 01:00 to 05:00 and from 06:00 to 10:00 hours (Central Mexico time), with a one-hour break in between.
While testing allows for the evaluation of the cars' performance, the special tyres used on these days are not the same as those used in competition. This limits the real analysis of the cars' performance, although the teams rely on their data and simulations to extract valuable information before the official start of the season .
Red Bull's internal struggleRed Bull come into this pre-season with the mission of maintaining its dominance , but also of fixing some issues that became apparent in 2024. While the RB20 was a dominant car at several stages of last season's championship, its handling was a constant concern, as was clear from Max Verstappen's off-track excursions and now Liam Lawson's foray. Over the winter, the Milton Keynes team has worked on improving the car's stability and reducing the drag on its rear wings, which they will now put to the test in Sakhir.
The Bahrain test will provide a first indication of whether Red Bull has managed to correct its weaknesses or whether its rivals have managed to close the gap.
New faces on the gridUnlike 2024, when the driver line-up remained unchanged, this season brings a major shake-up. Six drivers will make their pre-season debut , including Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan, who have already made a few appearances in Formula 1. They are joined by Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has the huge responsibility of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
Hamilton and FerrariOne of the biggest draws of the pre-season is Lewis Hamilton's debut with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion is entering a new chapter in his career with the Scuderia , but will have very limited time to adapt. Unlike his early days with McLaren in 2007 and Mercedes in 2013, where he had a lot of mileage in pre-season testing, this time he will only have 1.5 days to get to know the SF-25 thoroughly.
Expectations are high and Hamilton's every lap at Sakhir will be closely scrutinised by the press and fans alike. His performance in testing could set the tone for what to expect from Ferrari in 2025.
Rumours and evolution of single-seatersWith technical regulations set to change in 2026, this season will be a mix of short-term development and preparation for the future. Midfield teams are expected to invest heavily in their 2025 cars before diverting resources towards the new regulations. As such, multiple changes to car specifications will be seen during pre-season testing.
Formula 1 has also taught us that there can always be surprises in testing . In 2020, Mercedes surprised with its innovative dual-axis steering system (DAS). This year, there is speculation that some teams could introduce improvements to flexible aerodynamics, which will keep the focus on onboard cameras and track speed data.
Days and times- February 26, 27 and 28
- 01:00-05:00
- 06:00-10:00
SV
informador
