The Bahrain 2025 F1 pre-season test is set to begin on February 26 at the Bahrain International Circuit. This event is crucial for all teams as they test their new cars and prepare for the upcoming season. The test will run for two days, from February 26 to February 27, with eight hours of track time each day.
Schedule
The testing will start each day at 07:00 GMT and continue until 16:00 GMT, with a one-hour lunch break from 11:00 GMT to 12:00 GMT. This schedule allows teams to maximize their time on the track and gather valuable data.
Teams
Ten teams will participate in the Bahrain 2025 F1 pre-season test. These teams include McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Alpine, Haas, Racing Bulls, Williams, and Sauber. Each team will have the opportunity to test their new cars and evaluate their performance.
Key Drivers
Several key drivers will be participating in the Bahrain 2025 F1 pre-season test. One of the most anticipated moments is Lewis Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari. After over a decade with Mercedes, Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari has generated immense interest. Fans and experts alike will closely analyze his first laps in the SF-25.
Line-up for 2025 F1 Bahrain test
| Team | Wednesday 26 February | Thursday 27 February | Friday 28 February |
| McLaren | |||
| Ferrari |  Lewis Hamilton (AM) Charles Leclerc (PM) | ||
| Red Bull Racing |  Liam Lawson (AM) Max Verstappen (PM) | Liam Lawson |  Max Verstappen |
| Mercedes |  Andrea Kimi Antonelli (AM) George Russell (PM) | George Russell (AM) Andrea Kimi Antonelli (PM) | Andrea Kimi Antonelli (AM) George Russell (PM) |
| Aston Martin |  Fernando Alonso (AM) Lance Stroll (PM) | Fernando Alonso (AM) Lance Stroll (PM) | Lance Stroll (APM) Fernando Alonso (PM) |
| Alpine |  Jack Doohan (AM) Pierre Gasly (PM) | Pierre Gasly (AM) Jack Doohan (PM) | Jack Doohan (AM) Pierre Gasly (PM) |
| Haas |  Oliver Bearman (AM) Esteban Ocon (PM) | Esteban Ocon (AM) Oliver Bearman (PM) | Oliver Bearman (AM) Esteban Ocon (PM) |
| Racing Bulls |  Yuki Tsunoda (AM) Isack Hadjar (PM) | Yuki Tsunoda (AM) Isack Hadjar (PM) | Isack Hadjar (AM) Yuki Tsunoda (PM) |
| Williams |  Alex Albon (AM) Carlos Sainz (PM) | Carlos Sainz | Alex Albon |
| Sauber |  Nico Hulkenberg (AM) Gabriel Bortoleto (PM) | Nico Hulkenberg (AM) Gabriel Bortoleto (PM) | Gabriel Bortoleto (PM) Nico Hulkenberg (AM) |
Other notable drivers include Nico Hulkenberg, who returns to Sauber, and rookies like Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, and Jack Doohan. These rookies will be making their first official outings in an F1 car, and their performance will be closely watched.
Tyres selected per team
| Team | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | Inter | Wet |
| McLaren | 5 | 9 | 20 | 1 | ||||
| Ferrari | 3 | 4 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Red Bull | 2 | 11 | 20 | 2 | ||||
| Mercedes | 2 | 2 | 27 | 4 | ||||
| Aston Martin | 8 | 4 | 20 | 3 | ||||
| Alpine | 6 | 6 | 23 | |||||
| Haas | 5 | 6 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Racing Bulls | 4 | 4 | 23 | 4 | ||||
| Williams | 4 | 12 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Sauber | 4 | 8 | 20 | 3 |
What to Expect
The Bahrain 2025 F1 pre-season test will provide valuable insights into team performance and set expectations for the upcoming season. Teams will fine-tune their cars, test new components, and gather data to improve their performance. Observers will scrutinize every run for potential clues about the season ahead.
Reliability will be a key focus, with teams hoping to avoid any issues that could impact their performance. Pirelli will supply all six of its 2025 tyre compounds for testing, including the newly introduced extra-soft C6 rubber. There is also a slight chance of rain, which may lead some teams to experiment with intermediate and wet-weather tyres.
The Bahrain 2025 F1 pre-season test is a crucial event for all teams as they prepare for the upcoming season. With a packed schedule, key drivers, and new components to test, this event will provide valuable insights into team performance and set the stage for an exciting season ahead.