Bahrain F1 testing 2025: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut and rookie watch — What to expect as teams prepare for the new season

Bahrain has replaced Barcelona as the primary venue for Formula 1 winter testing, thanks to its stable weather and strategic Middle Eastern location.

With cars easily transported to the season opener, Bahrain has become an essential testing ground. But the 2025 calendar has been adjusted due to Ramadan, with Melbourne’s Australian Grand Prix now set to open the season on 16 March.

Rookies prepare for their first full F1 season

This year’s Bahrain test is particularly significant for the six rookies gearing up for their first full Formula 1 campaign.


Among them, Liam Lawson (11 starts), Oliver Bearman (3 starts), and Jack Doohan (1 start) have prior race experience. Meanwhile, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, and Gabriel Bortoleto will be making their first official outings in an F1 car.

Teams will run one car per day, giving each driver just a day and a half of track time to familiarise themselves with their machines. Antonelli will begin testing for Mercedes in the morning, while Hadjar and Bortoleto will complete their first laps in the afternoon with Racing Bulls and Sauber, respectively.

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Hamilton’s Ferrari debut takes centre stage

One of the most highly anticipated moments of the test is Lewis Hamilton’s first public run in Ferrari’s SF-25. The seven-time world champion’s switch to Ferrari has generated immense interest, and his first laps in red will be closely analysed by fans and experts alike. Following struggles with Mercedes’ W15 last season, this test will be crucial for Hamilton as he adapts to his new team ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Other drivers are also beginning new chapters. Nico Hulkenberg returns to Sauber in the morning, marking a reunion with the team he last raced for in 2013. In the afternoon, Liam Lawson takes the wheel for Red Bull, Esteban Ocon drives for Haas, and Carlos Sainz embarks on his new stint with Williams.

Performance insights and tyre testing

While lap times in testing are not always indicative of real performance, keen observers will scrutinise every run for potential clues about the season ahead. Reliability will also be a key focus, with Williams hoping to avoid last year’s struggles after a much smoother pre-season shakedown at Silverstone.

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Pirelli will supply all six of its 2025 tyre compounds for testing, including the newly introduced extra-soft C6 rubber. There is also a slight chance of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, which may lead some teams to experiment with intermediate and wet-weather tyres. However, only Ferrari and Williams have opted for the C5 and C6 compounds, while Aston Martin and Haas are the only teams carrying wet-weather tyres.

FAQs:

1. Why is Bahrain the preferred venue for F1 winter testing?
Bahrain offers stable weather conditions and a strategic Middle Eastern location, making it ideal for pre-season testing. The consistent climate ensures reliable data collection for teams ahead of the new season.


2. Why is Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut so highly anticipated?
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has been one of the biggest stories in Formula 1. His first laps in the SF-25 during Bahrain testing mark the start of his new journey.