Pre testing in Bahrain

PRE SEASON TESTING @ BAHRAIN

Dates & Schedule

Where to watch: F1TV / SkySports

February 26–28, 2025

• Daily Sessions: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (local time)

  • Morning: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

  • Afternoon: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Time Zone References

• Bahrain (AST): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

• UK (GMT): 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• Central Europe (CET): 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Eastern Time (ET): 2:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Pacific Time (PT): 11:00 PM (prev. day) – 8:00 AM

Restrictions & Rules

• One Car on Track per Team: Each team decides the split between its two drivers.

• Unlimited Mileage: Teams can run as many laps as they can within the testing hours.

• Official Pirelli Tires: No alternative suppliers or custom compounds—everyone must work within Pirelli’s range.

Teams & Drivers

Most teams split the driving duties equally between their two main drivers, ensuring both can deliver valuable feedback on setups and components.

This year, keep your eyes peeled for the five rookie drivers making their full-time F1 testing debuts, including Jack Doohan and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Their performance in Bahrain will be critical for settling nerves and setting the tone for their rookie campaigns.

Key Objectives for Testing

Pre-season testing is about more than chasing lap records—it’s the ultimate dress rehearsal. Over three days on track, teams aim to:

• Evaluate Reliability: Identify any mechanical or electrical issues before the season starts.

• Gather Aerodynamic Data: Use flow-vis paint and aero rakes to correlate real-world performance with wind tunnel and CFD predictions.

• Assess Tire Performance: Even with relatively stable Pirelli compounds, understanding temperature windows and wear rates is crucial.

• Optimize Car Setups: Fine-tune suspension, ride heights, and aerodynamics for a range of conditions.

• Familiarize Drivers with New Systems: From updated steering wheels to refined ERS mapping, a driver’s feel for the car can make or break early-season form.

• Test New Components: Trial fresh parts and last-minute upgrades before committing them to the first race.

• Simulate Race & Qualifying: Collect data on both short runs (for raw pace) and long runs (for race stints and tire management).

Reading Between the Lines: Lap Times & “Sandbagging”

Fans love to compare lap times, but beware of jumping to conclusions:

• Fuel Loads & Engine Modes: A blistering lap might be on low fuel with an aggressive engine map.

• Tire Compounds: Softest compound runs can produce eye-popping times but may not reflect race pace.

• Long Runs: Consistency over a series of laps often says more about a car’s true potential than a single flyer.

• Hidden Agendas: Teams sometimes “sandbag” (hold back true performance) to keep rivals guessing until the first Grand Prix.

Conclusion & What Comes Next

Pre-season testing in Bahrain is more than a ritualistic warm-up—these three days are a decisive litmus test for each team’s off-season development. While raw lap times can deceive, the broader picture that emerges will shape initial expectations for the season. Teams will either confirm the success of their winter upgrades or scramble to find answers before the first Grand Prix weekend.

For fans, this is your chance to peek behind the curtain: Which teams look stable and composed? Who might be nursing a reliability headache? Can the rookies handle the pressure? Get your notebooks ready—Formula 1’s opening act is here, and it’s bound to be riveting.

Here’s to a sensational start to the 2025 season!