F1 2025 Testing: When are Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and others driving in Bahrain?

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 Testing

F1 2025 Testing: When are Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and others driving in Bahrain?

All the details here!

Chris Deeley

Thursday 27 February 2025 15:30 Updated: 02:52

Formula 1's on-track action for the 2025 season begins this week, with teams bringing their cars out for their first real running on Wednesday.

Every team has done a lot of simulator work and some work with older models over the winter, but this week is the first chance to see the brand new designs.

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There will be 24 hours of track time over the three days of testing in Bahrain, split into four-hour sessions – with each of the 20 drivers getting 12 hours of track time each.

However, teams do choose to split those times up in different ways. So if you're looking to find out when to see your favorite driver, we've got you covered.

When will each F1 driver be driving in pre-season testing?

Team	Wednesday (AM/PM)	Thursday (AM/PM)	Friday (AM/PM)
Ferrari	Lewis Hamilton / Charles Leclerc	Lewis Hamilton / Charles Leclerc	TBC / TBC
Red Bull	Liam Lawson / Max Verstappen	Liam Lawson / Liam Lawson	Max Verstappen / Max Verstappen
McLaren	Oscar Piastri / Lando Norris	Oscar Piastri / Lando Norris	Lando Norris/ Oscar Piastri
Mercedes	Kimi Antonelli / George Russell	George Russell / Kimi Antonelli	Kimi Antonelli / George Russell
Aston Martin	Fernando Alonso / Lance Stroll	Fernando Alonso / Lance Stroll	Lance Stroll / Fernando Alonso
Alpine	Jack Doohan / Pierre Gasly	Pierre Gasly / Jack Doohan	Jack Doohan / Pierre Gasly
Haas	Ollie Bearman / Esteban Ocon	Esteban Ocon / Ollie Bearman	Ollie Bearman / Esteban Ocon
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls	Yuki Tsunoda / Isack Hadjar	Yuki Tsunoda / Isack Hadjar	Isack Hadjar / Yuki Tsunoda
Williams	Alex Albon / Carlos Sainz	Carlos Sainz / Carlos Sainz	Alex Albon / Alex Albon
Sauber	Nico Hulkenberg / Gabriel Bortoleto	Nico Hulkenberg / Gabriel Bortoleto	Gabriel Bortoleto / Nico Hulkenberg

What time is F1 testing?

The first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain starts today Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 10am local time. This means a start time of 2am (ET) for those on the East Coast.

For today's start times in the rest of the United States and in some major cities and countries around the world, please see below.

Location	Start Time
Local Time (AST)	10:00 AM
New York, United States (ET)	2:00 AM
Chicago, United States (CT)	1:00 AM
Denver, United States (MT)	12:00 AM
Los Angeles, United States (PT)	11:00 PM (Tue)
London, United Kingdom (GMT)	7:00 AM
Sydney, Australia (AEST)	6:00 PM
Adelaide, Australia (ACST)	5:30 PM
Perth, Australia (AWST)	6:00 PM
Mexico City, Mexico (CST)	1:00 AM
Berlin, Germany (CET)	8:00 AM
Tokyo, Japan (JST)	4:00 PM
Cape Town, South Africa (SAST)	9:00 AM
Cairo, Egypt (EEST)	9:00 AM
Beijing, China (CST)	3:00 PM
New Delhi, India (IST)	12:30 PM
São Paulo, Brazil (BRT)	4:00 AM
Singapore, Singapore (SGT)	3:00 PM

How to watch F1 pre-season testing on TV

Wednesday's pre-season testing action from the Bahrain International Circuit is set to be shown live on ESPN+ in the United States.

Broadcast details vary depending on your location. Please check below to see how to watch F1 live in your country.

Country	Broadcaster(s)
United States	ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Mexico	Fox Sports Mexico, Televisa
Australia	Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo
United Kingdom	Sky Sports, Channel 4
Italy	Sky Italia
Belgium	RTBF, Play Sports
Netherlands	Viaplay, Viaplay Xtra
Spain	DAZN F1
Canada	RDS, RDS 2, TSN, Noovo
Germany	Sky Deutschland, RTL
France	Canal+
Singapore	beIN SPORTS
China	CCTV, Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel, Tencent
Japan	Fuji TV, DAZN
Hungary	M4 (MTVA Sports Channel)
Brazil	Bandeirantes, Bandsports
Austria	Servus TV, ORF
Middle East & Turkey	beIN SPORTS
Africa	SuperSport
Latin America	ESPN