S Poddar
Formula 1 pre-season testing is an eagerly awaited spectacle for both fans and teams alike, providing the first meaningful indication of how the new season will play out. Following months of hard work and development, this is the point where teams take their new babies out for a spin and collect vital information on whether or not they will be competitve next year.
This phase is much more than an initial warm-up; it usually determines the direction of the initial races and provides important insight into which teams could be taking the lead or having trouble keeping pace.
How F1 Testing Works
A week or so before the actual season-opening event, all ten Formula 1 teams meet at the same track for three days of testing. During that time, they subject their new machines to a series of performance tests on actual track conditions.
Each team takes only one car out, which limits the number of cars currently on track to ten. The two drivers in a team alternate, each having one-and-a-half days to drive the car. Different configurations are tried, ranging from fuel level adjustments and testing different tyre compounds to aerodynamic settings adjustments. The objective is to know how the car will react under various conditions, like long runs at high fuel or fast laps with little fuel load.
For those drivers who are new to Formula 1 or who have changed teams, testing is a crucial phase. It gives time to become comfortable with new in-car interfaces, intricate steering wheel functionality, and interaction with race engineers.
Measuring Performance on the Track
All Formula 1 teams have at their disposal a comprehensive set of data-gathering equipment, such as telemetry and GPS monitoring, to enable them to examine performance in minute detail. Engineers painstakingly compare data from various test runs to determine if changes enhance or detract from performance.
In order to learn more about aerodynamics, teams also employ specialized equipment such as flow-viz paint and aerodynamic rakes. Flow-viz paint, which is usually brightly green, is used on the components of the car to help visualize airflow, whereas aerodynamic rakes with sensors give instantaneous feedback on airflow around the vehicle.
2025 F1 Testing Schedule
The 2025 pre-season test will be held between February 26-28 at the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir. The day will be divided into two sessions—one morning and the other afternoon—and provide six separate opportunities to generate valuable data.
Morning sessions will be held between 07:00 and 11:00 GMT, with afternoon sessions between 12:00 and 16:00 GMT. Since Bahrain uses GMT+3, the late sessions will switch from daylight to nighttime conditions, replicating real-race situations.
Why Bahrain Hosts Pre-Season Testing
Since its addition to the Formula 1 calendar in 2004, the Sakhir International Circuit has become one of the favored locations for pre-season testing. The circuit’s diverse layout with high-speed straights, fast corners, and medium-speed corners offers a well-balanced scenario for teams to test various features of their car’s performance, such as top speed, braking performance, and tyre wear.
Also, the arid climate of Bahrain renders it a prime site. As opposed to some circuits in Europe where unpredictable weather patterns can cause interruption to testing, Bahrain is constantly dry, making for uninhibited running. Strangely enough, since it joined the Formula 1 ranks, Bahrain has never seen its race ruined by rain.
Can Teams Test During the Season?
Previously, teams were free to hold testing sessions at any time of the year, but that was discontinued in 2009 when in-season testing was prohibited. The rationale behind the decision was cost considerations, environmental reasons, and attempts to ensure competitive balance among the teams.
While teams are still allowed to test cars that are at least two years old, these sessions are primarily aimed at helping younger or newly signed drivers adapt to Formula 1 machinery. Since current-season car development is highly advanced and ever-evolving, using older models provides little technical benefit in terms of car upgrades.
How to Follow F1 Testing Live
Supporters can follow all the pre-season action through live coverage on the BBC website and app. Comprehensive text commentaries will be available for each testing session, providing analysis of the main storylines and each team’s performance.
The Beginning of the 2025 Formula 1 Season
The 2025 season will officially kick off with the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park on March 14-16. The season-opener is set to get underway at 04:00 GMT on Sunday, March 16.
Traditionally, Bahrain has hosted the first race of the season since 2021. However, in 2025, it requested a later slot alongside Saudi Arabia to avoid clashing with Ramadan, which takes place from February 28-30. This scheduling shift marks a rare occasion where Australia kicks off the season, promising an exciting and unique start to the championship.
With the testing imminent, excitement is in the air as teams wait to unveil their newest engineering wonders. Fans and pundits will be waiting with anticipation for the first indications of what’s in store in another exciting year of Formula 1 racing.
