Everything you need to know about attending 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 21-23, one week before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
- 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
- If you purchased tickets for the 2024 Bahrain GP before February , you can attend two days of F1 pre-season testing on February 22-23 for free. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets; details below
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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. This is set to continue in 2024, with Bahrain International Circuit hosting a three-day test session on February 21-23, one week ahead of the season-opening 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix on February 29-March 2.
Race organisers at Bahrain International Circuit have confirmed that, like last year, fans will be able to attend the last two days of pre-season testing, which take place on February 22 and February 23. The first day of testing will take place on a closed circuit and will not be open to the public.
How to Buy Tickets for 2024 F1 Pre-Season Testing
Free access to the last two days of the pre-season test sessions is available for all fans who purchased 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix tickets before February 1.
Pre-season testing tickets are also available to buy separately via the official Bahrain Grand Prix website. Tickets for 2024 F1 pre-season testing are priced at only 5 BHD (approx. $13 USD) for adults and 2.5 BHD (approx. $6.50 USD) for children.
2024 F1 Pre-Season Testing Hospitality Tickets
Hospitality tickets are also available for pre-season testing via Bahrain International Circuit. Priced at $1,100 USD per day, these tickets give 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.
Further information is available via the official website.
Hospitality tickets are available for the first and second days of pre-season testing on Wednesday February 21 and Thursday February 22. Tickets for Thursday have now sold out.
Viewing & Schedule for Formula 1 Pre-Season Testing
It’s been confirmed that the test sessions ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season will take place at Bahrain International Circuit from Wednesday February 21 to Friday February 23. The public will be able to attend on the last two days of the test, while hospitality tickets are available for the first two days. The schedule below is subject to change.
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 2024, both sessions are 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 offer additional access to Paddock Lounge 1 – above the pits – and the Oasis Terrace, located at Turn 1.
Formula 1 has confirmed the timings for 2024 F1 testing in Bahrain (Wednesday February 21 to Friday 23). The cars will be on track from 10am to 7pm on each day of testing. There is a one hour lunch break, from 2-3pm.
Wednesday February 21
- 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 February 22
- 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 February 23
- 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 2024’s Formula 1 cars on track! If you’ve already got tickets for the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix, this is an extra 16 hours worth of on-track F1 action 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. Though 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 2024 F1 Testing in Bahrain
For the first time in 2023, 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. It is not yet known if 2024 F1 Testing Ticket Packages will be available.
Attending F1 Testing & the 2024 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 2024 season gets underway. 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 one week earlier.
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: 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix Travel Guide.
