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F1 Pre-Season Testing 2025: Full schedule and times

Fastway1.com
February 27, 2025
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Formula One Grand Prix Bahrain International Circuit. Kingdom of Bahrain, Middle East — Photo by philipus

The 2025 Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing is going to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 26 to February 28, 2025. This three-day event provides teams and drivers with their first opportunity to test the new cars under real track conditions before the season kicks off in Australia on March 14, 2025.

With limited track time available, every is important for the teams as they gather data, evaluate performance, and finalize setups for the first race of the year. We have made a pretty nice overview of the schedule, so you don't miss out on the action.

When and where is the 2025 F1 Pre-Season Testing?

Formula 1 has confirmed that Bahrain will once again host pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. The event will run from February 26 to February 28, 2025, giving teams just three days to fine-tune their cars before heading into the competitive season.

Why is testing held in Bahrain?

Bahrain has become the preferred venue for pre-season testing in recent years due to its reliable weather conditions, modern facilities, and the fact that it used to host the first race of the year. Unlike previous seasons when testing was split between Spain and Bahrain, the entire 2025 pre-season will take place in Bahrain.

Daily schedule for F1 Testing

Each day of testing is split into two sessions, with a lunch break in between. The schedule follows the local Bahrain time zone (AST):

  • Morning session: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM GMT)
  • Lunch break: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM GMT)
  • Afternoon session: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM GMT)

Teams typically rotate their drivers, with each getting a mix of morning and afternoon running across the three days. Some teams opt for full-day runs per driver, depending on their testing strategy.

Global schedule:

2025 F1 Pre-Season Test Schedule

Morning Session: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Bahrain Time - AST/GMT+3)
LocationTime
London, UK (GMT)7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
New York, USA (EST)2:00 AM – 6:00 AM
Los Angeles, USA (PST)11:00 PM (previous day) – 3:00 AM
Paris/Berlin (CET)8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Melbourne, Australia (AEDT)6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tokyo, Japan (JST)4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
São Paulo, Brazil (BRT)4:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Lunch Break: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Bahrain Time - AST/GMT+3)
LocationTime
London, UK (GMT)11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
New York, USA (EST)6:00 AM – 7:00 AM
Los Angeles, USA (PST)3:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Paris/Berlin (CET)12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Melbourne, Australia (AEDT)10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Tokyo, Japan (JST)8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
São Paulo, Brazil (BRT)8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Afternoon Session: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Bahrain Time - AST/GMT+3)
LocationTime
London, UK (GMT)12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
New York, USA (EST)7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Los Angeles, USA (PST)4:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Paris/Berlin (CET)1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Melbourne, Australia (AEDT)11:00 PM – 3:00 AM (next day)
Tokyo, Japan (JST)9:00 PM – 1:00 AM (next day)
São Paulo, Brazil (BRT)9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

The schedule is the same for every day.

Which drivers will be on track?

While not all teams have confirmed their testing line-ups, the most anticipated debut will be Lewis Hamilton's first official outing in a Ferrari. The seven-time world champion switched from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2025 season, making this test his first real experience behind the wheel of the Scuderia’s new challenger.

Other drivers expected to take part include:

  • Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson (Red Bull Racing) – Looking to regain their dominance and take back the constructors championship.
  • George Russell (Mercedes) – Leading the team after Hamilton’s departure, alongside his new teammate.
  • Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – Testing an upgraded car that could challenge the front-runners.
  • Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – Splitting duties with Hamilton as Ferrari aims for a competitive start.

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What to expect from Pre-Season Testing?

Formula 1 testing is not just about fast lap times. Teams focus on:

  • Car reliability – Ensuring that their new designs can complete full race distances without issues.
  • Aerodynamics and setups – Gathering data on how the car handles in different conditions.
  • Tyre testing – Evaluating the new Pirelli compounds for the 2025 season.
  • Race simulations – Running long stints to assess fuel loads and tyre degradation.

Since pre-season testing is limited to three days, teams will have to maximize every moment on track to prepare for the season opener.

How can fans follow F1 Testing?

Fans who want to stay updated on the latest testing action have multiple options:

  • Live TV coverage – Sky Sports F1 and F1 TV will broadcast every session live, other local or national TV broadcasters will also have their own broadcasts.
  • Live timing and updates – Available on Formula 1’s official website and social media platforms.
  • Post-session analysis – Leading motorsport outlets such as The Race, Autosport, and Motorsport.com will provide in-depth breakdowns. We at Fastway1.com might also do some timing analysis.

To finish up

The 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain is the first real opportunity for teams and fans to see the new cars in action. With only three days of testing, teams must work efficiently to prepare for the season opener in Australia on March 16, 2025.

From Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut to Red Bull’s new title hunt, there will be plenty of storylines to follow. Stay tuned for all the updates as teams hit the track in Bahrain.

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