What to Watch Out for on Day 1 of Bahrain F1 Pre-Season Testing
The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to begin with a three-day pre-season test in Bahrain. Teams and drivers will take to the Bahrain International Circuit from February 26 to February 28, testing their new cars and getting valuable track time before the season opener.
Key Details for Day 1
| Date | Time (GMT) | Venue | Sessions |
| Feb 26, 2025 | 07:00 – 11:00 (AM) 12:00 – 16:00 (PM) | Bahrain International Circuit | Morning & Afternoon |
This year the schedule of F1 is slightly different due to Ramadan with the Australian Grand Prix opening the season on March 16 instead of Bahrain.
Driver Line-up for Bahrain Test
Each team will run one car per test day, meaning drivers will get approximately 1.5 days of testing each.
| Team | Wednesday, Feb 26 | Thursday, Feb 27 | Friday, Feb 28 |
| McLaren | Oscar Piastri (AM) Lando Norris (PM) | Oscar Piastri (AM) Lando Norris (PM) | Lando Norris (AM) Oscar Piastri (PM) |
| Ferrari | Lewis Hamilton (AM) Charles Leclerc (PM) | TBA | TBA |
| Red Bull | Max Verstappen (AM) Liam Lawson (PM) | Max Verstappen | Liam Lawson |
| 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 (AM) 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 (AM) Nico Hulkenberg (PM) |
Tyres Selected per Team
Pirelli has provided all teams with a selection of its six 2025 compounds, along with intermediate and wet tyres.
| 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 | – | – | – | – |
Five Things to Watch on Day 1
1. Rookies Get Their First Taste of F1
The 2025 season has a strong rookie class, with six newcomers. While Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, and Jack Doohan have prior race experience, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, and Gabriel Bortoleto are making their full F1 debuts. Their first track session will be crucial as they gain mileage and adapt to their new cars.
2. Hamilton’s First Official Ferrari Outing
One of the most talked-about moments of the pre-season will be Lewis Hamilton’s first public run in a Ferrari. The seven-time world champion has moved to Maranello after years at Mercedes, and all eyes will be on his first laps in the SF-25.
3. New Driver-Team Pairings
Several drivers have switched teams, and this will be the first time we see them in action with their new squads. Notable moves include:
- Nico Hulkenberg back at Sauber after last racing for them in 2013.
- Esteban Ocon making his debut for Haas.
- Carlos Sainz now in Williams colors.
4. Performance and Reliability Insights
While test lap times don’t tell the full story, fans will still analyze every detail to assess team performance. Reliability issues are less expected due to stable regulations, but surprises can always happen. Williams had reliability concerns last year but appears more prepared in 2025 after a successful shakedown at Silverstone.
5. Pirelli’s New Tyre Range in Action
Teams have access to Pirelli’s full range of 2025 tyres, including the new extra-soft C6 compound. Intermediate and wet tyres might also come into play, with a slight 10% chance of rain on Wednesday and up to 45% on Thursday.
The first day of Bahrain testing promises exciting insights into the 2025 F1 season. Stay tuned for updates as teams fine-tune their machines for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.
