F1 2025 Pre-Season Testing: Full Schedule, Key Details & How….read more
The wait for the 2025 Formula 1 season is almost over, and fans are gearing up for an exciting year ahead. Before the lights go out for the first race, all 20 drivers will take part in the official pre-season testing in Bahrain. Scheduled from February 26 to February 28, this three-day event is crucial for teams to assess their cars’ performance, fine-tune setups, and allow drivers to get comfortable on track before the real action begins.
This testing period serves as the first true opportunity to evaluate how each of the 10 teams stacks up after months of development. While lap times during testing don’t always paint the full picture of what’s to come, they provide valuable insights into which teams are looking competitive and which may have challenges to overcome.
The 2025 season promises intense battles across the grid. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, will be looking to defend his title, but he is expected to face increased competition. Ferrari and McLaren are tipped to be major threats in the constructors’ championship fight, while Mercedes and Aston Martin will also aim to close the gap.
Following the conclusion of pre-season testing, all eyes will shift to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16. It is there that we will truly see how the teams perform under race conditions. Until then, these three days in Bahrain will give us an early indication of each team’s strengths and weaknesses.
F1 Pre-Season Testing 2025: Full Schedule and Session Timings
The testing period spans three days, with each day featuring two four-hour sessions. Here’s the complete schedule with global time zones for easy reference:
Day 1: Wednesday, February 26
- Local Time (Bahrain): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- GMT: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- CET (Central European Time): 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- EST (Eastern Standard Time): 2:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- PST (Pacific Standard Time): Tuesday 11:00 PM – Wednesday 8:00 AM
Day 2: Thursday, February 27
- Local Time (Bahrain): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- GMT: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- CET: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- EST: 2:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- PST: Wednesday 11:00 PM – Thursday 8:00 AM
Day 3: Friday, February 28
- Local Time (Bahrain): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- GMT: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- CET: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- EST: 2:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- PST: Thursday 11:00 PM – Friday 8:00 AM
What to Expect from Testing?
While the lap times set during testing won’t necessarily predict the pecking order for the season, they offer hints about which teams have made significant progress and which might still be struggling. Teams will focus on gathering data, testing different setups, and ensuring reliability before heading into the first race.
In recent years, Red Bull has dominated the grid, but teams like Ferrari and McLaren have shown promising improvements. With the 2025 season featuring a record-breaking 24 races, consistency will be key for any title contender.
As the countdown to Melbourne begins, fans will be watching closely to see which teams emerge as front-runners. Stay tuned for all the latest updates as F1 testing unfolds in Bahrain!
