The 2025 Formula 1 season is drawing closer, and with just days to go before the cars are back into action, teams have begun locking in their driver lineups for F1 pre-season testing. The three-day test, running from February 26 to February 28 at the Bahrain International Circuit, will be the first proper opportunity to see the grid shake-up in action.
Bahrain has become the preferred testing ground over the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, thanks to its more predictable weather and typical role as the season opener. However, this year’s calendar throws a curveball, teams must quickly pack up after testing and head to Melbourne for the Australian GP, which will host the first race of the season due to Ramadan scheduling changes.
You’ll be seeing plenty of cars painted in streaks of green and fitted with intricate aero rakes during 2025 pre-season testing. The green substance, known as flow-vis paint, is a fluorescent liquid that reveals airflow patterns as it dries, helping engineers identify inefficiencies.
Meanwhile, aero rakes, sensor-packed structures, map real-time airflow to validate wind tunnel and CFD simulations. Strategically placed around key aerodynamic zones, they provide crucial data on drag, downforce, and balance. With limited testing time, teams rely on these tools to fine-tune their machines before the season kicks off.
Colder temperatures predicted for testing
Unusually, low temperatures have been forecasted in Bahrain this week. This might dish out an interesting pre-season run. Instead of the normal mid-20s (Celcius), projections anticipate temperatures will range between 15-18°C, giving teams more constant track conditions from morning to evening.
This may unexpectedly provide more representative long-term data than normal, which teams will be eager to exploit.
Pre-season testing driver line-ups:
The 2025 test will be the first full-time F1 experience for six drivers, including Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber). While others like Liam Lawson, Oliver Bearman, and Jack Doohan have prior race outings, this marks their first season as official F1 drivers.
One of the most anticipated debuts is that of Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari red, as he takes to the SF-25 for the first time in an official session. McLaren are yet to confirm their schedules and Ferrari have only confirmed their set for the first day, the rest of the grid is set.
The full lineup for testing is as follows:
| Team | Wednesday, 26 Feb | Thursday, 27 Feb | Friday, 28 Feb |
| McLaren | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Ferrari | Hamilton [AM], Leclerc [PM] | TBC | TBC |
| Red Bull | Lawson [AM], Verstappen [PM] | Lawson [Full Day] | Verstappen [Full Day] |
| Mercedes | Antonelli [AM], Russell [PM] | Russell [AM], Antonelli [PM] | Antonelli [AM], Russell [PM] |
| Aston Martin | Alonso [AM], Stroll [PM] | Alonso [AM], Stroll [PM] | Stroll [AM], Alonso [PM] |
| Alpine | Doohan [AM], Gasly [PM] | Gasly [AM], Doohan [PM] | Doohan [AM], Gasly [PM] |
| Haas | Bearman [AM], Ocon [PM] | Ocon [AM], Bearman [PM] | Bearman [AM], Ocon [PM] |
| Racing Bulls | Tsunoda [AM], Hadjar [PM] | Tsunoda [AM], Hadjar [PM] | Hadjar [AM], Tsunoda [PM] |
| Williams | Albon [AM], Sainz [PM] | Sainz [Full Day] | Albon [Full Day] |
| Sauber | Hulkenberg [AM], Bortoleto [PM] | Hulkenberg [AM], Bortoleto [PM] | Bortoleto [AM], Hulkenberg [PM] |
*TBC = To be Confirmed
New faces and new dynamics for the teams
Almost every team enters the 2025 season with a revised driver pairing. The only squad maintaining its duo is Aston Martin, as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll return for another season. Alonso will be first to hit the track for the Silverstone-based outfit, running on the morning of February 26.
Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber), Esteban Ocon (Haas), and Carlos Sainz (Williams) will be stepping into entirely new machinery, working to get up to speed before the season kicks off in Australia.
For the rookies, pre-season testing is a crucial proving ground. While Lawson, Bearman, and Doohan have already had a taste of race weekends, their first full-time campaign in earnest begins here. Antonelli, Hadjar, and Bortoleto, meanwhile, will look to impress as they get their first proper run with their new teams.
Tyre strategies of the teams
Pirelli’s six dry-weather compounds (C1-C6) will be available, alongside intermediate and wet tyres should the unexpected happen. Interestingly, only Ferrari and Williams have opted for the softest C5 and C6 compounds, hinting at potential qualifying simulations. Meanwhile, Aston Martin and Haas have chosen wet-weather tyres, playing it safe if conditions take an unpredictable turn.
While testing won’t settle the pecking order, it’s the first taste of F1’s new season. Fans can catch all 10 teams live, analyze new cars, and watch drivers adapt. The true pecking order will only emerge in Australian GP qualifying, but the thrill of seeing the cars back on track makes testing just as exciting.
