Bahrain Testing: Will F1 Fans Get Tv Coverage?

The F1 Bahrain pre-season test is the final chance for teams to prepare for the upcoming season, and it gives fans an in-depth look at the new cars on the track. The 2022 F1 Bahrain pre-season test was held from March 10 to March 12, with live TV coverage, live timing, and fan attendance. Sky Sports F1 and F1 TV provided live coverage of the event, which was also available for live streaming on the Sky Go app for Sky Sports subscribers.

F1 Bahrain testing: TV channels and live streams

The F1 Bahrain test is a crucial event for teams and drivers to prepare for the upcoming season and for fans to get a first in-depth look at the cars on the track. The 2022 F1 Bahrain test took place from March 10 to March 12, with live TV coverage, live streaming, and live timing available for fans around the world.

TV Channels

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sky Sports provided live TV coverage of the entire three-day test on its dedicated Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event channels. Coverage started at 6:50 am GMT each day, with a 10-minute recap of the morning session before the afternoon session began.

Live Streams

For fans unable to watch on TV, live streaming options were also available. Sky Sports subscribers could watch the sessions live via the Sky Go app or on the Sky Sports website and app. Additionally, F1TV offered live streaming to viewers in select territories worldwide.

Live Timing and Updates

F1 TV Pro subscribers had access to live timing and on-demand coverage of the Bahrain pre-season testing. Exclusive live timing and updates were also available through the official F1 broadcaster in select territories.

The F1 Bahrain test is an exciting event for fans, providing a glimpse of the new car designs and team performances ahead of the upcoming F1 season. With live coverage and streaming options available, fans around the world could follow the action and get their first look at the upcoming season's competition.

F1 Bahrain testing: timings and dates

The F1 Bahrain test is a three-day event that took place from Thursday, March 10 to Saturday, March 12, 2022. Each day, the track was open from 7 am to 11 am and 12 pm to 4 pm GMT, with an hour-long break for lunch.

Where to Watch

For viewers in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event provided live coverage of the entire three-day test, with Sky Sports subscribers also able to watch via the Sky Go app.

For those outside the UK and Ireland, F1TV offered live streaming of the event, subject to availability.

The Bahrain pre-season test is considered a "traditional test", meaning previous formats apply, including allowing live TV coverage. In contrast, the previous test in Barcelona was a "shakedown test", which was not televised as per an agreement between F1 and the teams.

F1 Bahrain testing: previous tests

F1 testing in Bahrain has been taking place since at least 2022, with the country hosting pre-season testing for the sport. The Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, which is 5.412km long, has been the venue for these tests.

In 2022, the pre-season testing was split between Barcelona and Bahrain, with the former hosting a three-day shakedown test that was closed to fans and not televised. The Bahrain test, however, followed the traditional format, allowing fans to attend and providing live TV coverage and live timing. This test took place from March 10 to 12, a week before the 2022 F1 opener, the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was held from March 18 to 20.

The 2023 pre-season testing also took place in Bahrain from February 25 to 27, ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir circuit on March 5. Red Bull's Sergio Perez set the fastest time, followed by Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes and Valtteri Bottas for Alfa Romeo.

In 2024, Bahrain became the sole host of Formula 1's only pre-season test, which took place from February 21 to 23. The country is set to continue hosting duties for the 2025 pre-season testing, which will be held from February 26 to 28.

F1 Bahrain testing: driver line-up

The F1 Bahrain pre-season test is the last chance for teams to prepare for the new season and gives fans an in-depth look at the cars on the track. The 2022 F1 Bahrain test took place from 10-12 March, with the 2024 test taking place on 21 February.

F1 rules mean each team can only run one car during the test, meaning they split driving responsibilities between their drivers. Here is the driver line-up for the 2022 and 2024 F1 Bahrain pre-season tests:

2022 F1 Bahrain Test Driver Line-Up

• Lewis Hamilton (AM)/George Russell (PM)
• George Russell (AM)/ Lewis Hamilton (PM)
• Lewis Hamilton (AM)/George Russell (PM)
• Sergio Perez (AM)/Max Verstappen (PM)
• Charles Leclerc (AM)/Carlos Sainz Jr (PM)
• Charles Leclerc (AM)/Carlos Sainz Jr (PM)
• Carlos Sainz (AM)/Charles Leclerc (PM)
• Esteban Ocon (AM)/Fernando Alonso (PM)
• Pierre Gasly (AM)/Yuki Tsunoda (PM)
• Sebastian Vettel (AM)/Lance Stroll (PM)
• Sebastian Vettel (AM)/Lance Stroll (PM)
• Lance Stroll (AM)/Sebastian Vettel (PM)
• Nicholas Latifi (AM)/Alexander Albon (PM)
• Guanyu Zhou (AM)/Valtteri Bottas (PM)
• Valtteri Bottas (AM)/Guanyu Zhou (PM)
• Guanyu Zhou (AM)/Valtteri Bottas (PM)
• Mick Schumacher (AM)/Kevin Magnussen (PM)
• Kevin Magnussen (AM)/Mick Schumacher (PM)

2024 F1 Bahrain Test Driver Line-Up

• Day 1: Esteban Ocon (AM), Pierre Gasly (PM)
• Day 2: Pierre Gasly (AM), Esteban Ocon (PM)
• Day 3: Esteban Ocon (AM), Pierre Gasly (PM)
• Day 1: Fernando Alonso (AM), Lance Stroll (PM)
• Day 2: Fernando Alonso (AM), Lance Stroll (PM)
• Day 3: Lance Stroll (AM), Fernando Alonso (PM)
• Day 1: Charles Leclerc (AM), Carlos Sainz (PM)
• Day 2: Charles Leclerc (AM), Carlos Sainz (PM)
• Day 3: TBC
• Day 1: Kevin Magnussen (AM), Nico Hulkenberg (PM)
• Day 2: Nico Hulkenberg (AM), Kevin Magnussen (PM)
• Day 3: Kevin Magnussen (AM), Nico Hulkenberg (PM)
• Day 1: Oscar Piastri (AM), Lando Norris (PM)
• Day 2: Oscar Piastri (AM), Lando Norris (PM)
• Day 3: Lando Norris (AM), Oscar Piastri (PM)
• Day 1: George Russell
• Day 2: Lewis Hamilton
• Day 3: Lewis Hamilton (AM), George Russell (PM)
• Day 1: Max Verstappen
• Day 2: Sergio Perez (AM), Max Verstappen (PM)
• Day 3: Sergio Perez
• Day 1: Yuki Tsunoda (AM), Daniel Ricciardo (PM)
• Day 2: Yuki Tsunoda (AM), Daniel Ricciardo (PM)
• Day 3: Daniel Ricciardo (AM), Yuki Tsunoda (PM)
• Day 1: Valtteri Bottas (AM), Zhou Guanyu (PM)
• Day 2: Zhou Guanyu (AM), Valtteri Bottas (PM)
• Day 3: Valtteri Bottas (AM), Zhou Guanyu (PM)
• Day 1: Logan Sargeant (AM), Alex Albon (PM)
• Day 2: Logan Sargeant
• Day 3: Alex Albon

F1 Bahrain testing: rules and car changes

Rules

F1 pre-season testing is when teams get their first chance to test out their new cars on the track. It's also when fans get an in-depth look at the cars for the first time. Teams are only allowed to run one car during the test, with the exception of mule cars permitted for tyre testing at Pirelli's request. This is to prevent bigger teams from out-developing their rivals.

Car Changes

F1's new era began in 2022 with new technical regulations aimed at making racing closer and more exciting. This included a return to ground-effect cars, which had not been permitted since 1982, and a move to 18-inch rim tyres.

Testing Locations

F1 pre-season testing is usually held in Barcelona due to its variety of low, medium, and high-speed corners, as well as its central location in Europe, which makes it easily accessible for all F1 teams. However, in 2022, F1 also added a second testing location in Bahrain, which provided a representative comparison to the Barcelona test and was also hosting the season opener.

Testing Schedule

The F1 Bahrain pre-season test takes place over three days, with the track open from 7 am to 4 pm GMT, including a one-hour lunch break. The action starts an hour later in local time due to better weather conditions and floodlights at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Driver Line-up

During the F1 Bahrain pre-season test, each team's drivers share the responsibility of testing the car. For example, in 2022, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and George Russell each drove for half a day on the first two days, then shared the car on the third day.

TV Coverage

The F1 Bahrain pre-season test is televised, unlike the Barcelona shakedown test, which is run behind closed doors. In the UK, Sky Sports broadcast the test live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.

Frequently asked questions