F1 2025 Testing: Bahrain start times, schedule and how to watch live on TV

Formula 1 cars hit Bahrain International Circuit today (Thursday, February 27) for the second day of pre-season testing ahead of the 2025 season.

Day one saw the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen take to the track as teams and their drivers clocked up plenty of miles putting their new cars through their paces.

F1 HEADLINES: Christian Horner issues 2026 statement as shock Red Bull retirement announced

READ MORE: F1 Results Today: Max Verstappen BEATEN by championship rival as shock team make top five

After running in the afternoon was blighted by a bizarre power outage across the entire circuit, which halted action for approximately an hour, McLaren star Lando Norris was the driver to top the time sheets on day one.

The Brit will hope it is an early indication of the speed of the papaya car, but tuning in to day two is absolutely essential to see how the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes respond to the pace of the McLaren.

With that said, below, we've got all of the timings and television details you need to know ahead of the action, including a way you can watch for free in one specific country.

READ MORE: F1 2025 Testing: When are Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and others driving in Bahrain?

F1 2025 Testing: Bahrain start times

The second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain starts today Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 10 am local time. This means a start time of 2 am (ET) for those on the East Coast.

Please see below for today's start times in the rest of the United States and in some major cities and countries around the world.

How to watch F1 pre-season testing on TV

Thursday's pre-season testing action from the Bahrain International Circuit is set to be shown live on ESPN+ in the United States.

Elsewhere, viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the action on Sky Sports, with the broadcaster streaming the action for FREE live on their YouTube channel.

Broadcast details vary depending on your location. Please check the information below to see how to watch F1 in your respective country this season.

F1 TV Pro subscribers can also watch all of the action from Bahrain pre-season testing live in select regions.

The F1 YouTube channel are also showing highlights of today's action for free.

Related

F1 Testing

F1 Results Today: Max Verstappen BEATEN by championship rival as shock team make top five

• Yesterday 18:27

F1 Testing

FIA announce official F1 testing update after FREAKISH red flag

• Yesterday 17:13