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F1 2025 pre-season testing begins in Bahrain this week, full driver lineup

F1 2025 pre-season testing starts in Bahrain as teams fine-tune cars. Verstappen, Antonelli, and others take to track.

Sports Desk February 25, 2025

The 2025 Formula 1 season officially kicks off with pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, the sport’s preferred winter testing venue since it replaced Barcelona. Over three days, teams and drivers will fine-tune their machines, assess reliability, and gather crucial performance data ahead of the opening race.

Testing runs from Wednesday, February 26, to Friday, February 28, with two daily sessions: a morning stint from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM UK time and an afternoon session from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM UK time.

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Confirmed driver line-ups

With limited track time, teams will carefully divide testing duties between their drivers. Some have already confirmed their schedules:

Mercedes: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (AM) and George Russell (PM) on Wednesday; Russell starts on Thursday and Friday before Antonelli takes over in the afternoon.
Alpine: Jack Doohan (AM) and Pierre Gasly (PM) on Wednesday and Friday; Gasly begins on Thursday, with Doohan driving in the afternoon.
Haas: Oliver Bearman (AM) and Esteban Ocon (PM) on Wednesday and Friday; Ocon opens Thursday’s session, followed by Bearman in the afternoon.
Williams: Alex Albon drives on Wednesday morning before Carlos Sainz takes over in the afternoon. Sainz continues on Thursday, while Albon returns for the final day on Friday.
Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen leads Wednesday’s morning session before Liam Lawson takes over in the afternoon. Verstappen returns on Thursday, with Lawson handling Friday’s final session.

Sauber, McLaren, Racing Bulls, Aston Martin, and Ferrari are yet to confirm their driver line-ups.

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What to expect from testing

Pre-season testing provides the first glimpse into team performance, though lap times don’t always translate to race-day dominance.

With rising talents like Antonelli and Lawson sharing track time with world champions, all eyes will be on Bahrain to see how the 2025 grid begins to take shape.