Bahrain Test Schedule: Driver Lineup and Session Details

The final pre-season test in Bahrain kicks off this week, with teams finalizing their driver schedules for the crucial three-day session. Red Bull Racing has confirmed Max Verstappen will sit out the opening day, while Haas F1 Team will split duties between Esteban Ocon and rookie Oliver Bearman across all three days.

Why it matters:

This test is the last opportunity for teams to gather data and refine their cars before the competitive pressure of the season opener. The driver schedules reveal team priorities, such as giving rookies valuable track time or focusing specific development work with their race drivers. How teams allocate this limited running can offer early clues about their confidence and preparation levels.

The details:

The test runs from Wednesday to Friday at the Bahrain International Circuit, with each day split into morning and afternoon sessions. Teams are only permitted to run one car, forcing them to strategically split track time between their drivers.

• Red Bull Racing: Isack Hadjar, the team's junior driver, will drive on Wednesday. World Champion Max Verstappen will take over on Thursday, with both drivers scheduled to share duties on the final day, Friday.
• Haas F1 Team: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman will each drive on all three days, alternating sessions. The schedule indicates Ocon will drive the morning session on Wednesday, with Bearman taking the afternoon, and the pattern alternating each day.
• Audi F1 Team: Nico Hulkenberg and rookie reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi (referred to as Bortoleto in the source, a likely error for the team's confirmed lineup) are scheduled to share the car, alternating sessions across all three days.
• Other Teams: The schedules for McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams, Aston Martin, Racing Bulls, Alpine, and Cadillac were listed as "To Be Announced" (TBA) at the time of the report.

What's next:

Teams will use these final test days to conduct race simulations, practice pit stops, and verify upgrades before cars enter parc fermé conditions for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The data collected here will be critical for establishing baseline performance and reliability. All eyes will be on the timing sheets, though true competitive form often remains hidden until qualifying next week.