As the Formula 1 world stirs from its off-season break following the spectacular F1 75 Live last week, we now turn our attention to one of the most revealing moments of the year: Pre-Season Testing.
This year, the action unfolds once again under the desert skies of Bahrain, providing the first real indications of what the 2025 season may hold.
For Atlassian Williams Racing fans, it’s a key opportunity to see Alex Albon and new signing Carlos Sainz behind the wheel, putting our latest challenger through its paces in preparation for the upcoming campaign.
But Pre-Season Testing is about far more than just new liveries and headline lap times.
Let’s delve into why these three crucial days in Bahrain matter so much.
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Before and Now
There was a time when teams could conduct unlimited testing, fine-tuning their cars and giving drivers extensive practice whenever they pleased.
Those days are long gone. Now, all 10 teams descend upon the same venue with their latest technological innovations, aerodynamic refinements and hopes of a competitive edge all under tight secrecy.
In an era of cost caps and efficiency, the sport is far less wasteful than in the past. Holding testing at one location reduces expenses and simplifies logistics, ensuring a more sustainable approach.
However, the trade-off is significant: with only three consecutive days of testing, there is minimal time to detect and resolve issues before the season begins. Every lap is vital for teams and drivers to extract as much knowledge as possible from their new machinery.
The Bahrain International Circuit has become the home of F1 testing in the modern era
The Atlassian Williams Racing Agenda
With Alex and Carlos leading the charge, Williams benefits from two highly experienced drivers who bring valuable insight from past seasons to compare against the new FW47.
Both have played crucial roles in guiding the team’s development during the first two months of this year, and Bahrain will be their first true test of the progress made over the winter.
Testing is divided into morning and afternoon sessions, and the team’s focus during the event will cover several key areas:
Reliability: Ensuring the FW47 can handle race distances and qualifying simulations without mechanical issues.
Aerodynamic Analysis: Utilising sensors and flow-vis paint to evaluate airflow and identify potential downforce gains and drag reductions.
Tyre Performance: Understanding tyre behaviour is crucial, even though Pirelli’s compounds remain unchanged from last season.
System & Operational Checks: Verifying all electronic systems, including power unit calibration and energy recovery, while also ensuring race crew operations are seamless after the off-season.
Setup Optimisation: Maximising Bahrain track time to fine-tune the FW47 ahead of the season opener in Australia.
What to Look Out For
Pre-Season Testing rarely gives away the full picture, as teams often mask their true pace with strategic test plans and varying fuel loads.
However, there are still plenty of clues to watch for over the three days:
Lap Times: While raw pace is not the full story, lap times provide an initial reference point for competitive speculation.
Long Runs: Consistency over extended stints can reveal more about tyre management and race-day performance than outright speed.
Technical Innovations: New components and aerodynamic upgrades will be on display, with some teams making further adjustments even in the final sessions.
Driver Feedback: Insights from Alex, Carlos and their rivals will give an early glimpse into each team’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Pre-Season Testing runs from 26-28 February and you can keep up to date on our progress right here throughout the week.
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