When and where the winter tests will be held ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season and who will decide the date and location
In 2025, Melbourne in Australia will open the Formula 1 season, but the first showcase for the racing cars will take place elsewhere: at the official winter tests, which are traditionally held just a few days before the first Grand Prix. When and where this will take place in 2025 has now been decided – in part
According to a report by auto motor und sport, the Formula 1 teams have agreed on a date for the test week: According to the report, the new cars will take to the track together for the first time from February 26 to 28, 2025.
However, it is still unclear who will host the tests: The Bahrain International Circuit near Sachir in Bahrain or the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya near Barcelona in Spain, as was previously the case? Both circuits have been on the Formula 1 racing calendar for decades and will also host Grands Prix in 2025.
The main argument in favor of Bahrain as a winter test track is the stable and friendlier weather. Spain attracts with less effort overall, lower costs and a more relevant track layout. According to auto motor und sport, however, only Red Bull, Racing Bulls and Sauber currently prefer the European test location.
A decision on the circuit for the winter tests will be made shortly by the Formula 1 Commission, on which the ten current teams are also represented and have a say.
For 2025, the tried-and-tested format will remain, but …
There is already something of a tradition of only three days of testing before a new Formula 1 season. Formula 1 only made an exception in 2022, when new technical regulations were introduced and the need to complete extensive tests was greater than in other years.
As auto motor und sport further reports, six test days are therefore to be scheduled again in 2026, divided into two test weeks, which may take place at different locations. In 2022, for example, Formula 1 held its winter tests in equal parts in Barcelona and Sachir.
Details of the 2025 Formula 1 season
The 2025 Formula 1 calendar will kick off the season on March 16 at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. Once again, 24 Grands Prix are planned. The final round will take place on December 7 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. As in previous years, there is no WRC round on German soil
