Bahrain Testing Schedule: Know Your Testing Times

The 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain started on February 21 and ended on February 23. Each day, the testing started at 7:00 GMT or 10:00 local time and ended at 16:00 UK time or 19:00 local time. The testing took place at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, and consisted of three testing days.

Testing dates: 21-23 February 2024

The 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain will be held from 21-23 February 2024. This is the only official collective running that teams will undertake, and it will be hosted at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.

Each day of the three-day test will kick off at 10 am local time in Bahrain (7 am GMT/UK time) and finish at 7 pm local time (4 pm GMT/UK time). There will be an hour-long break in the middle of the day for lunch, from 11 am-12 pm.

The first race of the 2024 season will be the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, 2 March, with the season commencing just a week after the pre-season testing. The first two races of the season, in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, will be held on Saturdays to avoid a clash with the start of Ramadan on 10 March.

The pre-season testing is highly anticipated, as it will be the first time the 10 Formula 1 teams can run their new cars together and gauge their competitiveness for the upcoming season. With only three days to fine-tune their preparations, the teams will be eager to make the most of the testing sessions.

The testing will be broadcast live on F1TV and Sky Sports F1 for viewers in the UK and Ireland.

Testing location: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir

The Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, is the location for the 2024 Formula 1 preseason testing. The circuit is 5.412 kilometres long and is the home of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The 2024 preseason testing will be held over three days, from Wednesday, February 21, to Friday, February 23.

Each day of testing will consist of two sessions. The morning session will run from 7:00 am to 11:00 am GMT (or 8:00 am to 12:00 pm CET), and the afternoon session will run from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm GMT (or 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm CET). There will be an hour-long shutdown in the middle of the day for lunch and possible driver changes.

The Bahrain International Circuit has previously hosted preseason testing in 2023 and is the location of the first race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will take place on Saturday, March 2. The decision to hold the preseason testing in Bahrain was made for reasons of cost and practicality, as it is more feasible to have the testing at the same location as the first race of the season.

Testing times: 7am-11am and 12pm-4pm

The 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain is split into morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session starts at 7:00 am GMT (10:00 am local time) and ends at 11:00 am GMT (2:00 pm local time). This is followed by an hour-long break for lunch and possible driver changes. The afternoon session then starts at 12:00 pm GMT (3:00 pm local time) and concludes at 4:00 pm GMT (7:00 pm local time). Each day of testing follows this same schedule.

Compared to 2023, the testing days have been shortened by half an hour. The testing sessions provide teams and drivers with valuable opportunities to fine-tune their preparations and ensure their cars are functioning properly before the start of the official race season.

The 2024 pre-season testing in Bahrain took place from Wednesday, February 21, to Friday, February 23. These three days of testing are crucial for teams to get up to speed and set early benchmarks before the start of the record-breaking 24-race season. The first race of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship calendar, the Bahrain Grand Prix, was held just a week later on Saturday, March 2.

Lunch break: 11am-12pm

Lunch break during the 2024 Formula 1 preseason testing in Bahrain is scheduled from 11 am to 12 pm. During this time, teams and drivers will take a break for lunch and possibly make driver changes. The morning session will precede the lunch break, starting at 7:00 am GMT or 10:00 am local time and ending at 11:00 am GMT or 2:00 pm local time. After the lunch break, the afternoon session will commence at 12:00 pm GMT or 3:00 pm local time and continue until 4:00 pm GMT or 7:00 pm local time.

The 2024 Formula 1 preseason testing in Bahrain is an important event, especially with the upcoming season transition from Red Bull to Ferrari for Lewis Hamilton in 2025. The three days of testing, from February 21st to 23rd, provide a crucial opportunity for drivers and teams to fine-tune their preparations and adapt to new cars, rules, and regulations. The Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir sets the stage for this pivotal testing phase, marking the end of the Formula 1 winter break and the beginning of an exciting new season.

During the lunch break, teams will not only refuel their energy but also make strategic decisions and adjustments to their cars. This break offers a momentary respite from the intense action on the track, allowing mechanics and engineers to inspect the vehicles and make any necessary tweaks. It is also a time when drivers can relax, refocus, and prepare for the upcoming afternoon session. The hour-long shutdown provides a brief interlude before the afternoon session, which will see drivers return to the track to continue pushing their cars to the limit.

The lunch break is a crucial aspect of the testing schedule, offering a brief respite for teams and drivers alike. It allows them to recharge, refocus, and make any necessary adjustments to their vehicles or strategies. This period also enables teams to assess the morning session's performance and make informed decisions for the remainder of the day. The break ensures that participants can maintain their focus and energy levels throughout the intensive testing period.

With the 2024 Formula 1 season just around the corner, the lunch break during preseason testing in Bahrain serves as a pivotal moment for teams and drivers. It provides an opportunity to regroup, strategize, and make any necessary adjustments. As the morning session comes to a close, the lunch break marks a temporary pause in the action, allowing participants to recharge their batteries before diving back into the thrilling world of Formula 1 racing in the afternoon.

TV channels: Sky Sports F1, ESPN

Sky Sports F1 and ESPN will broadcast the 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The testing will be held from Wednesday, February 21, to Friday, February 23, at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.

Sky Sports F1

To watch the F1 Bahrain Testing on Sky Sports, viewers will need a valid subscription to Sky Sports. The testing will be broadcast live on the Sky Sports F1 channel, and viewers can also access the channel via the Sky Go app or website. The Sky Sports F1 live broadcast will include the following:

• Morning Session: 6:50 a.m. to 11:05 a.m.
• Afternoon Session: 11:55 a.m. to 4:05 p.m.
• Testing Wrap: 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Ted's Testing Notebook: 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

ESPN

To watch the F1 Bahrain Testing on ESPN, viewers will need a valid subscription to ESPN or a streaming service that offers ESPN. The testing can be viewed on TV or accessed through the ESPN app or website. ESPN is expected to broadcast the testing sessions, but specific timing details are not yet available.

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