F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Bahrain F1 pre-season test: Schedule and driver line-ups

Formula 1 roars back to life this week as 2024 pre-season testing commences on Wednesday in the barren landscape and scorching sands of Bahrain.

From February 21st to 23rd, the desert kingdom transforms into a crucible of proof of concept, aero designs and performance where ten teams unveil their all-new iterations or evolutions for the upcoming championship battle.

Red Bull's dominant 2023 season might not have provided a nail-biting finale, but it did leave lingering questions: can they maintain their iron grip, or will the tide turn?

Can the highly awaited new Mercedes W15 reclaim its team's lost glory, with George Russell possibly taking the reins ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari at the end of the season?

Will Ferrari finally succeed in fielding a consistent contender, capable of fighting for race wins and not just pole positions?

Meanwhile, McLaren will aim to build on its impressive second half in 2023, while Aston Martin will seek to attach itself once again to F1’s train of front-runners.

There will be surprises, both good and bad, setbacks and struggles up and down the pitlane, and the odd chance of one big team getting it wrong and one lower tier contender getting it very right.

And as usual, there will also be those who will be reluctant to show their hand with sandbagging the name of the game.

One constant will remain however: for the first time in Formula 1 history, not a single driver has changed teams or left the grid since last season.

Schedule:

The action at the Bahrain International Circuit will start every day at 07:00 GMT (08:00 CET) and drivers will run until 11:00 GMT (12:00 CET), after which teams will enjoy a one-hour lunch break with the running resuming at 12:00 GMT (13:00 CET) and concluding at 16:00 GMT (17:00 CET). So that's eight hours of running overall per day.

Where can I watch?

Fans in the UK and in Ireland will be able to watch the entire Bahrain test on Sky Sports F1, while F1 TV will stream the action in countries where the online platform is available.

We will of course bring you updates, reports and pictures throughout each session as well as a late-afternoon summary of the day's action.

Provisional Driver line-ups for Bahrain F1 pre-season test:

Wednesday
February 21
Thursday
February 22
Friday
February 23
Red Bull
AM Max Verstappen
PM Max Verstappen
AM Sergio Perez
PM Max Verstappen
AM Sergio Perez
PM Sergio Perez
Mercedes
AM George Russell
PM George Russell
AM Lewis Hamilton
PM Lewis Hamilton
AM Lewis Hamilton
PM  George Russell
Ferrari
AM Charles Leclerc
PM Carlos Sainz
AM Charles Leclerc
PM Carlos Sainz
AM Carlos Sainz
PM Charles Leclerc
McLaren
AM Oscar Piastri
PM Lando Norris
AM Oscar Piastri
PM Lando Norris
AM Lando Norris
PM Oscar Piastri
Aston Martin F1
AM Fernando Alonso
PM Lance Stroll
AM Fernando Alonso
PM Lance Stroll
AM Lance Stroll
PM Fernando Alonso
Alpine
AM Esteban Ocon
PM Pierre Gasly
AM Pierre Gasly
PM Esteban Ocon
AM Esteban Ocon
PM Pierre Gasly
Williams
AM Alex Albon
PM Logan Sargeant
AM Logan Sargeant
PM Alex Albon
AM Alex Albon
PM Logan Sargeant
Visa Cash App RB
AM Daniel Ricciardo
PM Yuki Tsunoda
AM Yuki Tsunoda
PM Daniel Ricciardo
AM Daniel Ricciardo
PM Yuki Tsunoda
Sauber
AM Valtteri Bottas
PM Zhou Guanyu
AM Zhou Guanyu
PM Valtteri Bottas
AM Valtteri Bottas
PM Zhou Guanyu
Haas
AM Kevin Magnussen
PM Nico Hulkenberg
AM Nico Hulkenberg
PM Kevin Magnussen
AM Kevin Magnussen
PM Nico Hulkenberg
Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

3 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

5 hours ago

F1 drivers blindsided by race director Wittich’s sudden exit

The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…

6 hours ago

McLaren relaxes ‘papaya rules’: Norris and Piastri free to race

Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…

7 hours ago

Cheers to the forever young pure racer Jacques Laffite

The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure…

9 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Wednesday's build-up in pictures

The neon lights of Las Vegas are set to illuminate the Formula 1 world once…

9 hours ago