Everything you need to know about attending 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 26-28.
- Join our private Facebook group for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Connect with fellow fans & get advice about attending pre-season testing and the race at Sakhir
- Fans who purchase 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix tickets before December 7, 2024 are able to attend two days of F1 pre-season testing for free.
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After sharing pre-season testing sessions with Barcelona in 2022, Bahrain became the sole host of Formula 1’s only pre-season test in 2023. Bahrain International Circuit is set to continue hosting duties for F1 pre-season testing in 2025. A three-day test session will take place on February 26-28.
The pre-season test takes place three weeks before the first race of 2025. Unlike in recent years, the Bahrain Grand Prix will not be the first round in 2025. Instead, the first race is the Australian Grand Prix, on March 13-16. As a result of the timing of Ramadan, Formula 1 will not return for the Bahrain Grand Prix until the fourth round of the year, on April 11-13.
Race organisers at Bahrain International Circuit have announced that fans who buy tickets for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix before December 7, 2024 will receive free access to pre-season testing. It is yet to be announced whether tickets for pre-season testing will be available to purchase separately.
In previous years, fans were able to attend the last two days of the test. The first day of testing took place on a closed circuit and was not open to the public.
How to Buy Tickets for 2025 F1 Pre-Season Testing
Last year, free access to the last two days of the pre-season test sessions was available for all fans who purchased 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix tickets before February 1. This year, the deal currently lasts until December 7, 2024.
Pre-season testing tickets were also available to buy separately via the official Bahrain Grand Prix website last year. Tickets for 2024 F1 pre-season testing were priced at only 5 BHD (approx. $13 USD) for adults and 2.5 BHD (approx. $6.50 USD) for children.
This post will be updated when further ticketing information is available for the 2025 F1 pre-season test.
2025 F1 Pre-Season Testing Hospitality Tickets
Hospitality tickets were available for all three days of pre-season testing via Bahrain International Circuit in 2024. Priced at $1,100 USD per day, these tickets gave you access to the balcony overlooking the pit lane, with VIP parking and shuttle services, an exclusive pit lane walk plus 5-star catering included. These tickets sold out ahead of the test.
It’s yet to be confirmed whether hospitality tickets will be available for the 2025 F1 pre-season test.
Viewing & Schedule for Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing
It has been confirmed that the test sessions ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season will take place at Bahrain International Circuit from Wednesday February 26 to Friday February 28. Last year, the public were able to attend on the last two days of the test, while hospitality tickets were available for the first two days. The schedule below is from last year and listed for information purposes only.
Formula 1 test days are comprised of two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon/evening, with a one hour break in between. In previous years, both sessions were open to the public on the last two days of testing. Viewing is only possible from the Main Grandstand, opposite the pits, though hospitality tickets offered additional access to Paddock Lounge 1 – above the pits – and the Oasis Terrace, located at Turn 1.
Formula 1 is yet to confirmed the timings for 2025 F1 testing in Bahrain (Wednesday February 26 to Friday 28). Last year, the cars were on track from 10am to 7pm on each day of testing, with a one hour lunch break from 2-3pm. 2024 testing times are listed below for information purposes, and subject to change.
Wednesday
- 10:00-14:00: Formula 1 – Testing
- 14:05-14:40: Hospitality – Pit lane walk
- 15:00-19:00: Formula 1 – Testing
- 19:15-20:15: Hospitality – Track tour
Thursday
- 10:00-14:00: Formula 1 – Testing
- 14:05-14:40: Hospitality – Pit lane walk
- 15:00-19:00: Formula 1 – Testing
- 19:15-20:15: Hospitality – Track tour
Friday
- 10:00-14:00: Formula 1 – Testing
- 15:00-19:00: Formula 1 – Testing
Why Attend F1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain?
Attending F1 pre-season testing will place you among the first people in the world to see 2025’s Formula 1 cars on track! This is an extra 16 hours worth of on-track F1 action at a very affordable price (or event free, if 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix ticket holders are once again permitted access at no additional cost).
Of course, it’s called testing for a reason. Not all the cars will be on track for the entirety of the eight hours of each day’s running. Some may endure reliability issues which keep them consigned to their garages. Not all of the big name drivers will be taking to the track in each session – though most teams swap drivers between the morning and afternoon sessions. While not every lap will be taken at full speed or on the limit of the car’s capabilities, F1 pre-season testing is a great opportunity to get close to the cars, teams and drivers in a relaxed environment.
If you can’t make it to the track for testing, the three days of F1 pre-season testing are expected to be broadcast live across F1 TV and via F1’s global TV partners.
Tickets Packages for 2025 F1 Pre-Season Testing in Bahrain
In the last two years, premium ticket packages were offered by F1 Experiences for pre-season F1 testing. These packages, priced at $1,500 USD per day, offered access to VIP hospitality in the Formula 1 Paddock Club above the pits, along with a pit lane walk and track tour during the break between the morning and afternoon sessions. Guests were also able to take part in a ‘Photo Safari’, accessing vantage points used by professional photographers while the cars are on track and hear stories from a Formula 1 legend in an exclusive meet and greet session. 2025 F1 Testing Ticket Packages are not yet on sale.
Attending F1 Testing & the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix
If you’ve got the time, attending both F1 testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix is a great way to immerse yourself in the world of Formula 1 as the 2025 season gets underway, though testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix are no longer just one week apart. After testing (February 26-28), the 2025 F1 season kicks off with races in Australia (March 13-16), China (March 21-23) and Japan (April 4-6) before returning six weeks later for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix (April 11-13).
Race weekend attendances at the Bahrain Grand Prix have been rising in recent years, though it’s still one of the least attended races on the entire F1 calendar, and even less people will be trackside at the test sessions. Tickets for the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix are now on sale and currently discounted by up to 10%.
Organizational issues and lengthy queues that fans experience at many better attended races is not a concern at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where it’s easy to get to the circuit, tickets and accommodation are reasonably priced and the racing under lights is frequently close and exciting.
Learn More: 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix Travel Guide.
