The pre-season F1 testing in Bahrain launches the 2025 season, featuring key discussions on Red Bull’s handling, McLaren’s track record, rookie performances, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, tech innovations, Mercedes’ preparation changes, and the overall significance of maximising track time.
The 2025 F1 pre-season testing kicks off this week in Bahrain, following a spectacular livery launch in London. The event spans three days and will be aired on F1TV and Sky Sports, with teams currently preparing for the challenges ahead as Bahrain is not the season opener this year.
1. Red Bull’s Handling Issues: After dominating testing in 2024, Red Bull now seeks to resolve past handling problems seen with the RB20. Verstappen’s off-track excursions and reliability concerns during the previous season indicate a crucial focus on improved car handling and performance.
2. McLaren’s Bahrain Struggles: Despite being owned by the Bahrain sovereign wealth fund, McLaren has faced difficulties at this track in recent years, with various setbacks impacting their lap counts. The team aims for a clean and competitive test to gauge their form ahead of the first race in Melbourne.
3. Rookies and Their New Roles: A significant 30% of the grid features rookies, including several who have previously stepped in as replacements. All eyes are on newcomers like Andrea Kimi Antonelli as they begin their campaigns amid the pressure of high expectations.
4. Hamilton and Ferrari’s New Chapter: This season marks Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari, where he has a limited time to adapt to the SF-25. His acclimatisation during this test will be critical to the team’s performance and strategy as they move forward.
5. Tech Developments and Innovations: Teams will be exploring balance in car development while teasing potential technological innovations. Though the current regulations limit major changes, unexpected updates, like dual-axis steering in the past, could emerge during testing.
6. Mercedes’ Unique Preparation: For the first time, Mercedes will complete a filming day in Bahrain, breaking from their usual practice in Silverstone. This change is aimed at maximising their initial testing efforts and ensuring smooth operations ahead of the season.
7. Importance of This Testing Period: Given that Bahrain is not the first race venue, teams must maximise their track time to analyse performance data thoroughly. This testing is vital to confirm setups and strategies before heading to Melbourne, highlighting its significance for all teams.
The 2025 F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain will be pivotal for teams, addressing previous car handling issues, rookie performances, and new driver transitions, especially for Hamilton and McLaren. The nature of this year’s testing will demand more focus and strategic preparations as teams look to maximise all available track time ahead of the season.
Original Source: www.autosport.com