Formula 1 is finally back on track this week as Lewis Hamilton officially starts his Ferrari career in Bahrain.
The seven-time world champion enjoyed his first test run in the SF-25 at the Scuderia’s Fiorano circuit but the real work starts here.
Hamilton has had the perfect start to life with the Prancing Horse after adapting to leaving Mercedes and being the face of Maranello.
The 40-year-old was visibly excited during F1’s launch show at London’s O2 Arena but gets down to business during official testing.
The three-day pre-season test is arguably just as important as any of the 24 Grands Prix despite no points being up for grabs.
Bahrain will be the only time all 10 F1 teams will share a track before the 2025 campaign gets underway in Australia next month.
F1 testing: What happens and why does it matter?
It will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir from Wednesday, February 26 until Friday, February 28.
All 20 drivers will be in action, however, will have to split duties behind the wheel as each of the 10 teams can only run one car.
Every day will be split into two four-hour sessions in the day and evening running from 7am to 4pm UK time.
Teams typically choose to alternate their drivers between those stints, but also have the option of giving one a full day of running.
In F1, unlimited private testing is long gone meaning Bahrain will be the sole opportunity for the 2025 cars to be pushed to the limit.
This allows both drivers and engineers to collect valuable data and exchange feedback on limitations and areas of improvement before the first race.
F1 testing will be the first time for fans to definitively see how every 2025 car looks, with previous photoshoot launches often disguising/hiding certain elements and components not to give their rivals an advantage.
In certain years, it has also led to what is known in motorsport as ‘sandbagging’ – the process of drivers intentionally posting slower lap times in testing than the car is capable of to disguise their true speed.
The combination of limited track time and strategic decision-making is why F1 testing is not the perfect indicator of how a team will perform over the coming season.
“In day one and in the shakedowns, you run a lot faster sensors on the car – not just externally but internally. There will be extra temperature sensors, extra vibration sensors and all these things to check the car,” former Aston Martin strategist and engineer Bernie Collins told Sky Sports.
“The car could be 10kg overweight in testing and it’s only on the last day where the teams get rid of all that weight. 10kg is maybe three tenths of a second. In testing, it’s very hard to compare morning and afternoon or across days because of different track conditions or wind conditions.
“The best way to figure out where your car sits amongst others is when people did a long run. People would do 66 laps around Barcelona, so you would know they started with 100kg and roughly ended at zero, then you can compare those laps against your own.
F1 pre-season testing schedule
All the action will be shown on Sky Sports F1 – UK times only
Wednesday February 26 – Day One
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
- 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
Thursday February 27 – Day Two
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
- 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
Friday February 28 – Day Three
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
- 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
F1 testing: Who is driving when?
More to follow…
McLaren
Wednesday: TBC
Thursday: TBC
Friday: TBC
Ferrari
Wednesday: TBC
Thursday: TBC
Friday: TBC
Red Bull
Wednesday: TBC
Thursday: TBC
Friday: TBC
Mercedes
Wednesday: Kimi Antonelli (AM), George Russell (PM)
Thursday: George Russell (AM), Kimi Antonelli (PM)
Friday: Kimi Antonelli (AM), George Russell (PM)
Aston Martin
Wednesday: TBC
Thursday: TBC
Friday: TBC
Alpine
Wednesday: Jack Doohan (AM), Pierre Gasly (PM)
Thursday: Pierre Gasly (AM), Jack Doohan (PM)
Friday: Jack Doohan (AM), Pierre Gasly (PM)
Haas
Wednesday: Oliver Bearman (AM), Esteban Ocon (PM)
Thursday: Esteban Ocon (AM), Oliver Bearman (PM)
Friday: Oliver Bearman (AM), Esteban Ocon (PM)
Racing Bulls
Wednesday: TBC
Thursday: TBC
Friday: TBC
Williams
Wednesday: TBC
Thursday: TBC
Friday: TBC
Sauber
Wednesday: TBC
Thursday: TBC
Friday: TBC