Formula 1 cars took to the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday, February 27, 2025, for the second day of pre-season testing, marking an essential part of preparations for the 2025 season. Following the excitement of day one, where top drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were seen pushing their cars to the limit, today’s testing will offer more insight into the competitiveness of the teams.On day one, the session began with high expectations as various teams and their drivers began putting their 2025 machines to the test. McLaren’s Lando Norris ended the first day with the fastest time, which will certainly raise hopes for the team’s prospects in the upcoming season. Despite the success, the afternoon session was marred by an unusual and frustrating power outage that affected the entire circuit, halting testing for about an hour. The technical glitch was a rare occurrence, but it did not overshadow the overall excitement of the session.For day two, the spotlight shifts to how top teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes respond to McLaren’s strong performance on day one. Norris’ fastest lap will be an important point of reference for these teams as they work to fine-tune their cars and strategies ahead of the season. The pre-season tests in Bahrain are critical, as they allow teams to assess the pace, reliability, and performance of their new cars, with the added pressure of preparing for the highly competitive Formula 1 season.Pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit offers a unique opportunity for fans and industry insiders alike to see how teams are shaping up. While the first day showcased McLaren’s promising speed, the full picture will only emerge as more laps are completed over the coming days. Day two’s action is expected to bring even more drama and excitement as all 10 teams will be battling to set the fastest times and find crucial performance gains. Fans across the world will be eagerly watching to see whether McLaren can maintain its pace, or if Red Bull, Ferrari, or Mercedes will surge ahead as the testing continues.The second day of testing begins at 10:00 AM local time (AST), which translates to 2:00 AM ET for those on the East Coast of the United States. Below are the start times for several key locations across the globe, ensuring fans know when to tune in:
- New York, United States (ET) – 2:00 AM
- Chicago, United States (CT) – 1:00 AM
- Denver, United States (MT) – 12:00 AM
- Los Angeles, United States (PT) – 11:00 PM (Wednesday)
- London, United Kingdom (GMT) – 7:00 AM
- Sydney, Australia (AEST) – 6:00 PM
- Adelaide, Australia (ACST) – 5:30 PM
- Perth, Australia (AWST) – 6:00 PM
- Mexico City, Mexico (CST) – 1:00 AM
- Berlin, Germany (CET) – 8:00 AM
- Tokyo, Japan (JST) – 4:00 PM
- Cape Town, South Africa (SAST) – 9:00 AM
- Cairo, Egypt (EEST) – 9:00 AM
- Beijing, China (CST) – 3:00 PM
- New Delhi, India (IST) – 12:30 PM
- São Paulo, Brazil (BRT) – 4:00 AM
- Singapore, Singapore (SGT) – 3:00 PM
For viewers in the United States, the pre-season testing action from Bahrain will be broadcast live on ESPN+, with Spanish-language coverage available on ESPN Deportes. International fans will also have plenty of options to follow the action live.In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports will provide extensive coverage of the pre-season testing. For the first time, Sky Sports will also offer a free live stream of the session on their YouTube channel, making it accessible to a wider audience. Other countries also have various broadcasters covering the event. For instance:
- Mexico: Fox Sports Mexico, Televisa
- Australia: Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo
- Italy: Sky Italia
- Germany: Sky Deutschland, RTL
- France: Canal+
- Spain: DAZN F1
- Canada: RDS, RDS 2, TSN, Noovo
- Brazil: Bandeirantes, Bandsports
- India: FanCode
In addition, F1 TV Pro subscribers in select regions can enjoy the pre-season testing action live. This service allows fans to access exclusive coverage of all pre-season testing sessions, providing in-depth insights into the teams’ preparations.As the teams continue to test and refine their cars in Bahrain, the pre-season tests are more than just a way to collect data—they offer a first glimpse of the pecking order heading into the new season. The results will have a lasting impact on the teams’ strategies and their approach to the opening races of the 2025 season.With the excitement building, Thursday’s testing promises to be crucial for all teams involved, setting the stage for what will be an electrifying Formula 1 season ahead.
