The 2025 Formula 1 season will kick off with the traditional three days of testing. In recent years, the pre-season tests have been held at the Sakhir circuit, a choice made since the Bahrain Grand Prix became the opening race of the season.
Next season, however, Melbourne will host the first Grand Prix of the year on March 16. The FIA, together with Liberty Media and team representatives, had to deliberate on where to hold the three days of testing, given the impossibility of aligning the test venue with that of the first race.
Initially, the Circuit de Catalunya seemed to be the preferred location for most teams. Then, surprisingly, Sakhir was chosen again, with a majority (though not unanimous) vote from the teams.
The three days of testing are scheduled from February 26 to 28, which is tight timing considering that Ramadan will begin on the evening of the last day of February. On the same date (Friday), the first round of the WEC World Championship will take place in Losail, Qatar.
Holding the tests in Sakhir will entail greater logistical and financial effort, but the teams have considered two factors: the mild climate, which eliminates the risk of weather-related cancellations, and the reduced likelihood of damage from off-track excursions.
Moreover, the stability of the car designs, which are not expected to introduce significant technical innovations, reduces the need for extra parts at team headquarters, a logistical advantage that Barcelona offers.
This proximity to headquarters is a consideration for the 2026 tests, when the car-power unit combinations will be completely new. Teams already seem to agree on the need for two testing sessions: the first three days in Barcelona and a subsequent session in Bahrain.
Some believe that the number of testing days is too limited considering the scale of the innovations that will be seen on track in two seasons, but there is still plenty of time before a final decision is made.
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