So you’re new to F1 or just looking for a refresh into exactly what we can expect from pre-season testing when Formula 1 returns to track action this week in Bahrain?
Well, don’t worry, I have you covered with your guide to testing with everything you need from what to expect, times, and where to watch as we welcome F1 back for 2025.
So what is F1 pre-season testing?
With limited testing time in F1, the three pre-season test days are crucial for the teams ahead of a long F1 season. The test allows the teams to put their new designs through their paces and to ensure the new cars are working exactly as they want them to before the opening race of the season. The teams will be running what’s called programs to maximise all of the track time available to them as there are some rules in place for the teams. The allocated testing time is 24 hours over three days, with the teams restricted to only one car on the track at any one time, which can only be run when the track is in live (green flag) session. It is up to the individual teams to allocate their time between their drivers and also how much of the time they actually spend on track. The teams normally release a schedule on their social media channels of what driver will be on track at what time, with some teams opting to give part sessions and some full days to their drivers.
When is pre-season testing?
Testing is held on February 26-28 and will once again be held at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. Whilst we wait for the official times, the last few years have had each day scheduled to start from 10:00am and end at 19:00pm local time, with a break for lunch at 14:00pm – 15:00pm, meaning each day is split into a four-hour morning and afternoon session. F1 has a dedicated page where you can find everything about the event, including the latest news, circuit information, and also convert local track times to your own time zone on their Pre-Season Testing Page.
Can we read anything into the laptimes?
Whilst there is an element of not reading anything into the laptimes and taking them with a pinch of salt, we can get a rough idea of which cars are looking more competitive than others with the times, especially when the teams put on the soft tyre compounds, run lower fuel loads, and put in some fast laps to see how the car is behaving. Ferrari set the fastest time in pre-season last year as their drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets on Day 2 and Day 3, respectively. Sainz’s 1m 29.921s was the quickest time of the entire test.
The Italian team eventually finished second to McLaren (who set the seventh quickest testing time overall) in the constructors’ championship, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive drivers’ crown, to give you an idea of what happened last year, so be prepared when your favourite team tops the timing sheets.
What do the teams do on each day?
The teams will arrive for the three-day test with set programmes to run depending on their schedules and also driver lineups. This is normally predetermined and, whilst being fluid to cater for any track or car issues, the team schedules are rarely impacted by other teams, so there will also be multiple different runs happening at different times for the teams, making the lap times even more unrepresentative. However, the teams will have a focus on the following:
Reliability: Ensuring that the car can withstand the rigours of a race distance and the intensity of a qualifying fast run without mechanical failures.
Aerodynamic Analysis: Using sophisticated sensors and paint techniques to understand airflow over the car, aiming to unlock more downforce and reduce drag.
Tyre Performance: While there will not be any changes to the compounds for this season, the teams will need to understand just how their tyres perform on their new cars so that they can start planning their 2025 race strategies to maximise the cars ready for the season.
System & Operational Checks: Even if nothing fails, the teams will verify that all electronic systems, including power unit control and energy recovery, give expected readings. Equally, with some new personnel in the race crew and a two-month break for those returning, testing is the perfect time to check the team functions at the highest level.
What do these phrases mean?
During testing, there will be a lot of buzzwords used by the commentary teams that may be hard to follow. Atlassian Williams Racing is producing this great guide to what all of the words actually mean right here below:
Williams guide to F1 testing terminology
How to watch?
Pre-season testing will be shown live, but this will depend on your location and subscription services.
In selected territories, F1 TV Pro subscribers can experience every angle live on any device, get in-depth analysis, plus catch up with full session replays and highlights.
Alternatively, pre-season coverage may also be shown by F1 broadcast partners in your area, so check your local listings.
On F1.com, they will also have text commentary and updates on their live blog each day, plus live timing, up-to-date reaction, and in-depth written analysis from every session.
Uk Viewers will be able to watch Sky Sports coverage with the schedule as follows in UK times:
Sky Sports F1’s live pre-season testing schedule
Wednesday, February 26 – Day One
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
- 11.05am-11.55am: Drivers’ Press Conference
- 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
- 8.30pm: Ted’s Testing Notebook
Thursday, February 27 – Day Two
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
- 11.05am-11.55am: Drivers’ Press Conference
- 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
- 8.30pm: Ted’s Testing Notebook
Friday, February 28 – Day Three
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
- 11.05am-11.55am: Drivers’ Press Conference
- 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
- 8.30pm: Ted’s Testing Notebook
- 9pm: Ted’s Development Corner
Keep up to date
Stay ahead of the news for the 2025 season here with me Terry at Coffee Corner Motorsport.
There will be quick updates as it happens on my social media channels just search @coffeecornermotorsport
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