F1 set to decide about location of the 2025 pre-season test
Formula One has still not made a decision about the location of the 2025 pre-season testing with three different tracks having emerged as possible venues for the three-day test session.
Although the 2024 F1 season is yet to reach its halfway point, the sport's governing body, the FIA and the teams are already busy with preparing the forthcoming season that will be the last year before the major technical overhaul kicks in in 2026.
The sport has already released the schedule for the 2025 F1 season, confirming that Melbourne will stage the opening race of the season with the Australian Grand Prx set to take place on 16 March.
The relocation of the opening race has been a surprise and has raised many questions. With Bahrain having staged the opening race in recent seasons, it has been also chosen as the location of the pre-season testing. However, with Melbourne taking over this role next year, the sport needs to reassess the optimal place for the winter testing.
While the Albert Park circuit could emerge as a potential location, it is difficult to imagine that the city could afford three more days when the streets are closed due to F1 action.
Moreover, it would involve a huge amount of costs as F1 personnel would need to travel back to Europe between the pre-season testing and the opening race. Furthermore, supplying spare parts or upgrades would also be difficult to realize due to the high costs and the long travel times involved.
It has left the sport to pick out another venue for the three-day running. The Bahrain International Circuit has emerged as the most favoured location, but Barcelona has also been mentioned as a possible 'candidate'. According to AMUS, teams have recently voted with only three outfits - Red Bull, Visa Cash RB and Kick Sauber - voting for the Catalan track.
All the other teams are reported to prefer to travel to Bahrain. It might involve higher costs, but the weather conditions are usually more favourable than in Barcelona where it can be relatively cold at the end of February.
It is, however, sure that the pre-season testing will take place from 26 to 28 February 2025. The final decision will be made at the next meeting of the F1 Commission.
With the sport set to welcome a comprehensive revamp of the technical regulation in two years' time, it has been agreed that teams will have six days of testing ahead of the 2026 F1 season. The last time teams had six days of pre-season testing was in 2022 which marked the introduction of the all-new ground-effect cars.
