Formula 1 announces Bahrain as the 2025 pre-season testing hub, Australia to host season opener

Formula 1 has officially confirmed that the Bahrain International Circuit will once again host the pre-season testing for the 2025 season. Even though Bahrain will not hold the season-opening race, its role as the venue for pre-season testing continues, marking its fifth consecutive year in this capacity.

Scheduled from February 26 to 28, the testing will give teams and drivers three days to finalize their preparations for the new season. This will be the final pre-season test under the current technical regulations, which are expected to evolve after 2025.

In recent years, Formula 1 has streamlined its pre-season activities to minimize costs, with just one testing session spread over three days, and this approach will continue for the upcoming season. What’s notable is that, while Bahrain has hosted the first race of the season in recent years, it will no longer play that role in 2025.

To avoid a scheduling conflict with Ramadan, the Bahrain Grand Prix has moved to a later date in the calendar. This shift allows Australia to reclaim its traditional spot as the season opener, with the race set to take place from March 14 to 16 at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. Australia last held this honour in 2019 before pandemic-related cancellations disrupted the schedule in 2020 and 2021.

Saudi Arabia will move back into the F1 calendar!

Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which previously hosted early-season races, will now see its event rescheduled to April. This aligns with the growing trend of Formula 1 reshuffling its calendar to accommodate both logistical and cultural factors. The Jeddah event will form part of a triple-header alongside Bahrain and Japan.

In line with F1’s commitment to its Net Zero 2030 initiative, a significant percentage of the sport’s freight will remain in Bahrain to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation. This move underscores Formula 1’s broader efforts to improve sustainability in all aspects of its operations as it works towards a more eco-friendly future.