Ready, Set, Test: F1 Pre-Season Schedule Released
With just a few days until the season begins, here’s what you need to know about pre-season testing.
Formula 1 pre-season begins on Wednesday, February 26 and runs through Friday, February 28 at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.
This pre-season testing is the only chance to see all 10 teams on track before the season officially starts. It gives teams an opportunity to test their new cars and gather valuable data for the upcoming season. This process is a key part of their preparation and helps identify areas for improvement.
It's common for the cars to look different in the first race, as teams often make major adjustments based on the insights gained during testing.
Teams are heading to Bahrain for testing because of its consistent, reliably dry weather, which is similar to many other race locations.
According to Formula 1, Mercedes was one of the first to announce their lineup, choosing Kim Antonella as their first driver on track on Wednesday morning. Lewis is scheduled to drive before Charles Leclerc takes over in the afternoon. At McLaren, Piastri will cover the morning sessions while Norris will test in the afternoons. Meanwhile, for Red Bull, Lawson is set for the morning sessions, and Vertsappen will drive in the afternoon.
Below is the daily schedule for each driver’s session.
Pre-season testing rules allow for eight hours of track time per day, and each team is expected to accumulate 12 hours of valuable track time overall. However, it’s up to each team to decide how to split the time between their drivers.
It’s important to note that pre-season testing isn’t about determining who has the best car; instead, it gives teams a chance to work on improvements and prepare for a great season.