How Formula 1 pre-season testing works and what to expect from Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz

Formula 1 pre-season testing , which takes place from 26 to 28 February at the Bahrain International Circuit, is the last opportunity for the ten teams on the grid to test, understand and improve their new cars before the first Grand Prix of the year on 16 March in Australia.

For fans, these training sessions mark the return of the Grand Prix to the screens. A cloud of unknowns surrounds these days: Who is the fastest? What is most important? How is Fernando Alonso doing? ...

Pre-season testing is particularly tricky, as it is not enough to look at the final standings to determine which car is the fastest, as in any Formula 1 session, the table ranks the drivers by their fastest lap. However, no one pushes the car to its limits in these tests . Many teams try to hide their cards in the lead-up to the first race, as Red Bull seems to want to do, while others push the limits to attract potential sponsors.

The most important thing to look at is wear and tear and long-run paces . Over the three days of testing, each team has 24 hours of possible running time, so a large part of that time is spent on race simulations. Although this is not 100% reliable data, as the fuel levels used, the effort of the driver and the technical specifications used are unknown, the sustainability of the times over several laps and the times compared to the other cars can provide useful clues about the speed of the cars and their capabilities in terms of tyre management.

In addition, the total number of laps is another good indicator of performance. The absence of breakdowns and off-track excursions is relevant , because it not only indicates that a car was 'born well', but also allows the team to test more parts and aerodynamic configurations.

Fernando Alonso's chances

The AMR25 is a mystery . Aston Martin 's performance over the last two seasons has been undeniably negative, but the huge changes in the technical department at the Silverstone factory give hope for a season that is supposed to be one of transition.

Fernando Alonso has hinted at a certain optimism for the upcoming season: "We learned from what happened in 2024 and the team has used it as a force to get to this season," he said in relation to his new car.

The tests in Bahrain will be a good indication of the performance of the green cars. A good performance could signal a return to the podium , and although the first races were difficult for the Spaniard, the arrival in March of Adrian Newey and the large package of upgrades planned for the Spanish GP could turn around a hypothetical bad situation.

The tough battle of Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz , meanwhile, faces a difficult campaign . Williams has not been a competitive team for a decade, and there are no signs of significant improvement. Even so, the powerful duo he will form with Alex Albon has all the credentials to dominate the back of the grid.

The points zone will be the big objective of the year for the English squad. With an eye on 2026, which will bring a change in regulations that could shake up the food chain , Williams wants to stand out in 2025 and get closer to the midfield, from where Sainz could display his talent and soon return to a leading team.