The 2025 F1 season gets underway this week as Bahrain hosts the official three-day pre-season test for all 10 teams.
It is the fifth year running that the Bahrain International Circuits hosts the pre-season test, as momentum builds towards the first race of the season, in Australia, on 16 March.
Lewis Hamilton takes to Ferrari’s SF-25 first up on Wednesday, with Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson and Fernando Alonso also in action in the morning session.
McLaren are the favourites this season after their constructors’ title victory last year but what will the early lap times say about their chances this year?
Follow live updates from pre-season testing with The Independent
F1 TESTING 2025 - LATEST UPDATES
- F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain starts on Wednesday at 7am (GMT)
- Lewis Hamilton will be among the first drivers in the car on Wednesday morning
- PREVIEW: What to look out for in F1 testing
- Max Verstappen has threatened to boycott future launch events in England
- READ: Inside Hamilton’s ‘magic’ first month as a Ferrari F1 driver
What time are the drivers on track on Wednesday?
16:55
,
Kieran Jackson
Ferrari
- Wednesday: Hamilton (AM), Leclerc (PM)
- Thursday: TBC
- Friday: TBC
Red Bull
- Wednesday: Lawson (AM), Verstappen (PM)
- Thursday: Lawson
- Friday: Verstappen
Mercedes
- Wednesday: Antonelli (AM), Russell (PM)
- Thursday: Russell (AM), Antonelli (PM)
- Friday: Antonelli (AM), Russell (PM)
Aston Martin
- Wednesday: Alonso (AM), Stroll (PM)
- Thursday: Alonso (AM), Stroll (PM)
- Friday: Stroll (AM), Alonso (PM)
Williams
- Wednesday: Albon (AM), Sainz (PM)
- Thursday: Sainz (AM), Sainz (PM)
- Friday: Albon (AM), Albon (PM)
Alpine
- Wednesday: Doohan (AM), Gasly (PM)
- Thursday: Gasly (AM), Doohan (PM)
- Friday: Doohan (AM), Gasly (PM)
Haas
- Wednesday: Bearman (AM), Ocon (PM)
- Thursday: Ocon (AM), Bearman (PM)
- Friday: Bearman (AM), Ocon (PM)
Sauber
- Wednesday: Hulkenberg (AM), Bortoleto (PM)
- Thursday: Hulkenberg (AM), Bortoleto (PM)
- Friday: Bortoleto (AM), Hulkenberg (PM)
What are the timings for testing?
Monday 24 February 2025 18:30
,
Kieran Jackson
The official pre-season test takes place from Wednesday 26 February to Friday 28 February.
In line with previous years, the track will be open for eight hours each day, starting at 7am (GMT) and ending at 4pm (GMT).
F1 pre-season testing!
16:50
,
Kieran Jackson
The 2025 F1 season gets underway this week as Bahrain hosts the official three-day pre-season test for all 10 teams.
It is the fifth year running that the Bahrain International Circuits hosts the pre-season test, as momentum builds towards the first race of the season, in Australia, on 16 March.
Lewis Hamilton takes to Ferrari’s SF-25 first up on Wednesday, with Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson and Fernando Alonso also in action in the morning session.
McLaren are the favourites this season after their constructors’ title victory last year but what will the early lap times say about their chances this year?
Testing starts at 7am (GMT) on Wednesday morning!
More pics of the 2025 Mercedes car!
Monday 24 February 2025 17:42
,
Kieran Jackson
When is the first race of the 2025 season?
Monday 24 February 2025 16:10
,
Kieran Jackson
The season-opener this year takes place at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday 16 March.
The race starts at 4am (GMT), 3pm local time.
It will mark Hamilton’s highly-anticipated first race in Ferrari red.
Kimi Antonelli on his first season in F1:
Monday 24 February 2025 14:45
,
Kieran Jackson
“I'm excited to make my debut in F1 this year. It is a great opportunity, and I am very thankful to everyone at Mercedes for the faith and trust they've placed in me.
“I've been working hard over the winter to be as ready as I can possibly be and now, I can't wait to get started.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after the launch of the W16:
Monday 24 February 2025 14:29
,
Kieran Jackson
“We open an exciting new era in the story of our team and Mercedes-AMG motorsport in 2025.
“We are building on the incredible legacy of our heritage, and we can't wait to go racing.”
Mercedes release photos of the W16!
Monday 24 February 2025 14:14
,
Kieran Jackson
After seeing the livery last week in London, Mercedes have now released photos of their W16 car in all its glory!
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will take it for a shakedown tomorrow in Bahrain.
Ollie Bearman out on track in Bahrain!
Monday 24 February 2025 13:24
,
Kieran Jackson
Haas are undertaking a filming day in Bahrain with full-time rookie Bearman in the cockpit!
First time in the VF-25 #HaasF1 #F1 | @OllieBearman pic.twitter.com/T1ovkVMgzF
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) February 24, 2025
F1 prize money: How much will teams earn for 2025 season?
Monday 24 February 2025 12:08
The prize pot for the teams at the end of the season is usually around 50% of F1’s commercial rights profit.
1st - $140m
2nd - $131m
3rd - $122m
4th - $113m
5th - $104m
6th - $95m
7th - $87m
8th - $78m
9th - $69m
10th - $60m
Figures are approximate and currently based on 2024 sums
When is pre-season testing?
Monday 24 February 2025 10:08
,
Kieran Jackson
The official pre-season test takes place from Wednesday 26 February to Friday 28 February.
In line with previous years, the track will be open for eight hours each day, starting at 7am (GMT) and ending at 4pm (GMT).
Barring any injuries, illness or car breakdowns, each driver will get 12 hours of time in the car over the course of the three days.
